Turner: an artist ahead of his time

William Turner is an artist of Britain whocreated romantic innovative landscapes and watercolor, and oil. His later works were not understood and appreciated by contemporaries. However, his work was deeply studied by Claude Monet, and it is impossible to challenge the influence of this painter on the French Impressionists.

Turner, artist: biography

One thing is certain: William Turner was born in London in 1775 and was baptized on May 14. His father, a barber and a wig manufacturer, sent William to his uncle in a small town called Brentford at the age of 10, standing on the Thames. Here the boy begins to paint landscapes from nature. His father displays his watercolors in his hairdresser and joyfully informs his clients that his son William Turner is an artist or, in any case, he is going to become one.

Academy of Arts

At the age of fifteen, he passed the exams, whichJoshua Reynolds accepted, and started his studies. Turner is an artist whom, as he believed himself, was formed by Thomas Malton, draftsman and topographer. But, attending the lectures of the President of the Academy, he was under the charm of idealism in art. And the first watercolor Turner, and the first oil painting, made in 1790, were exhibited at the exhibition of the Academy.

The work

But the greatest impression was made by the work,written in 1796. It's "Fishermen on the Sea". Already in this early work you can see the favorite composition technique that Turner-artist will use almost all his life - this is an oval, and also the theme - the image of a storm, a whirlwind and dramatic episodes that will go through all his work.

The fisherman's boat at night is in danger. The light of the moon is cold, now hiding, then revealing itself from the tattered gloomy clouds. It contrasts with the warm light of the lamps on the boat. But it is not clear what awaits the unfortunate stormy night. This very emotional marina has a great influence on Horace Vernet and many others.

Turner in Europe

Since 1802, when the painter became free in funds, he travels through the countries of Europe. Turner visited Switzerland, France (studied in the Louvre) and forever fell in love with Venice.

Landscape painting

In the 10-20s, William Turner, an artist whose paintings are full of romance, is working enthusiastically on the scenery. He is still loyal to the traditions of the English landscape.

They are written by a passionate person who lovescontrasts of color and light. He writes freely. Sometimes he complements his works with mythological scenes. In 1815, after the eruption of a volcano in Tambor (Indonesia), volcanic ash appeared in the atmosphere. As a result, interesting optical effects arose. Sunsets served as a source of inspiration for the painter. The bright colors of autumn in the "Channel of Chichester" completelynot random. But it is already fascinated by snows, rains, fogs and all natural cataclysms. Thus, in 1812, the "Transition of Hannibal through the Alps" depicts the revelry of the elements, in the struggle against which he does not forget about man: he shows his smallness and vulnerability. And the wild greatness of the world and the undeveloped nature testify to the power of God.

Style Features

Financial independence allowed Turner to freely introduce innovations into his mature work, without regard for customers. In the style of fantastic puzzles, he was very fond of writing the whims of nature.

At the age of 67 in 1842 he created the "Snow storm at night". The ship is barely visible in the whirlwind, which twists this little boat. Everything is mixed on a canvas, almost abstract: a squally wind that raises huge waves and drives low snowy clouds, and the smoke and steam that the steamer releases. He seeks a port that is barely visible on the horizon. The whirlwind spun everything into a clear oval, in the center of which it fights for the life of the ship.

Turner and the Industrial Revolution

At the end of XVIII century in England beginsindustrial Revolution. The appearance of steam locomotives and steamers immediately began to reflect in the creativity of a man who gravitates toward everything new. Turner is an artist whose paintings now depict technique. In this he is ahead of all his contemporary painters. On the canvas, which he called "Rain, steam, speed" (1844), the movement of the locomotive was dynamically transferred dynamically.

Dissecting the opposing flow of air masses,A fog locks out of the fog. He is not afraid of any weather conditions. The artist's admiration for modern technology, like our surprise, when we learned that a man broke into space when the first computers appeared. This elderly man already shows people what they are capable of, and his contemporaries ask for another - smooth, sweet Venus, quiet cozy beautiful, with carefully painted leaves and flowers of landscapes.

Personal life

In his younger years, until his father's death,In 1829, Turner lived with him. The father was both a friend and an assistant. The painter was never going to marry, although he lived with the elderly widow Sarah Danby. From her the artist had two daughters.

Later, he spent 18 years with Caroline Booth inChelsea. There he died in 1851. It is said that his last words were: "The sun is God." The artist is buried at his request in the Cathedral of St. Paul next to Sir Joshua Reynolds.