Margate c. 1822

Here we see J.M.W. Turner’s watercolor of Margate, a coastal town in southeast England. The image suggests a sense of place and atmosphere, but also reflects broader social and economic forces at play in England during the 19th century. Turner's work captures the visual experience of a world transformed by industrial capitalism. Note the figures in the foreground busy in the act of fishing. They’re shown working against the forces of nature, while the town of Margate looms in the background. In this period, the fishing industry helped to shape coastal communities, but it also led to exploitation and social inequality. By focusing on the daily lives of ordinary people, Turner acknowledged the social conditions that shaped artistic production. Historical research into fishing practices and labor relations would help us better understand the social context of this image.