Brighthelmston, Sussex

By the nineteenth century, Brighton (traditionally known as Brighthelmston) was one of England’s most fashionable resorts, as well as the departure point for the cross-Channel ferry to Dieppe. Featured in this watercolor are the chain pier at right (where the ferry boats docked) and King George IV’s Indian-style Royal Pavilion on the shore, both completed the previous year. Turner’s soft washes of watercolor are translated into sharp hatching in the engraving. The rainbow in the sky also becomes more pronounced.