Welcome to Spring term!

I am writing this welcome post due to the beginning of the spring term. New term, new year and a new opportunity to be better tomorrow than I was yesterday - this is my new year’s motto.

As every artist, in order to be better and improve our work we must do some research and look at other artist’s work so that we can find inspiration and create new artworks. So I believe that I should start this term with a research about the artist William Turner, which is one of my favourites, and his artworks.

Turner J. (1798), Self-Portrait [oil on canvas] Tate Gallery London

Joseph Mallord William Turner, known as William Turner, was born in April, 1775 in London, England. He is a painter, watercolourist and printmaker who became known as ' the painter of light' due to his interest in brilliant lights in his landscapes and seascapes.Currently, Turner is considered to be one of the greatest British painters and has inspired generations of artists with his Romantic paintings.

Turner J. (1840), The Slave Ship [oil on canvas], Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Even though Turner in his early years painted accordingly to the academic traditions of the 18th century, he became a pioneer in the study of light and atmosphere. He believed that his works should express historical, mythological literary or other narratives themes. 

The Slave Ship was painted in 1840 and it is based on an event that occurred sixty years before. Due to bad weather, the captain of the Slave Ship Zong ordered more than 100 slaves to be thrown overboard so that he could collect insurance money. If the slaves had died on board from brutality, disease or starvation there woul not be this insurance. The Slaves Ship's seeting contrasts with the action to lighlight the horror.

Altought being critizised in the first half of the 19th century, his reputation increased afterwards John Ruskin, who published the first part of Modern Painters in 1843 and was the first owner of 'The Slave Ship' wrote: “If I were reduced to rest Turner’s immortality upon any single work, I should choose this.” 

In the 20th century a new appreciation of the abstract qualities of Turner's late colour compositions strengthened his status as one of the most innovative and technically gifted painters of his century.

Turner J. (1796), Fishermen at sea [oil on canvas], Tate Britain London

Another good example of his works is the painting 'Fishermen at sea' - the first oil painting that William Turner exhibited at The Royal Academy. This moonlight scene is a reflection of the power of natre and the vulnerability of humanity which is highllighted by the fishermen and difficulties they are passing trhough in their journey.

Once again it is visible why William Turner is considered one of the greatest landscapists of the 19th century. 

Reference:

Britannica (15 December, 2020), J.M.W. Turner [online] Available from: https://www.britannica.com/biography/J-M-W-Turner (Accessed: 11.01.2021)

1st Art Gallery, The Slave Ship [online] Availabe from: https://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Joseph-Mallord-William-Turner/The-Slave-Ship-1840.html (Accessed 12.01.2021)

Nation Gallery, Joseph Mallord William Turner [online] Available from: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/joseph-mallord-william-turner (Accessed 12.01.2021)

All Art, Neoclassism and Romanicism - Joseph Mallord William Turner [online] Available from: http://www.all-art.org/neoclasscism/turner1.html (Accessed 12.01.2021)

Daily Dose of Art(28 June 2019), “Fishermen at Sea” by J. M. W. Turner [online] Available from:

https://www.myddoa.com/fishermen-at-sea-by-j-m-w-turner/ (Accessed 12.01.2021)