description J.M.W. Turner Overview
J.M.W. Turner was a British painter, notable for atmospheric seascapes and light effects in works such as The Fighting Temeraire (1839).
help J.M.W. Turner FAQ
Why is The Fighting Temeraire one of Turner's signature paintings?
The Fighting Temeraire was painted in 1839 and shows an old warship being towed to be broken up. Turner turns a specific British naval vessel into a scene about memory, industrial change, and glowing sunset light.
Was Turner more interested in ships or in light?
Turner painted many ships, storms, fires, and harbors, but light and atmosphere are usually the central drama. Works such as Rain, Steam and Speed from 1844 push weather and motion almost as far as the visible subject.
Where can I see many Turner paintings in London?
Tate Britain holds the Turner Bequest, a large group of works left to the British nation after Turner's death in 1851. The National Gallery in London also displays The Fighting Temeraire.
How did Turner influence later modern painting?
Turner's late paintings loosened form and emphasized color, light, and sensation. That is why he is often discussed as a precursor to Impressionism, even though he died before Monet and Renoir became famous.
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