J. M. W. Turner, born in 1775 in Covent Garden, London, was a prolific British painter and one of the most influential figures in the history of Western art. Renowned for his revolutionary approach to landscape painting, Turner’s work is characterized by its dramatic use of light, color, and atmosphere.

Turner’s early works were influenced by the Romantic movement, with paintings that captured the sublime power of nature and the beauty of the British countryside. However, he later developed a more experimental and avant-garde style, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Some of Turner’s most famous works include “The Fighting Temeraire,” “Rain, Steam, and Speed,” and “The Slave Ship.” His paintings often depicted scenes of maritime life, seascapes, and landscapes, with a sense of movement and dynamism that was ahead of its time.

Turner’s innovative use of color and light had a profound impact on subsequent generations of artists, including the Impressionists and the Symbolists. He is celebrated for his mastery of technique, his ability to evoke emotion through his art, and his relentless pursuit of innovation.

Despite facing criticism and controversy during his lifetime, Turner’s legacy as one of the greatest landscape painters in history is undisputed. His works continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world, reaffirming his status as a towering figure in the annals of art history.

J. M. W. Turner Quotes

1. “I know of no genius but the genius of hard work.”
— J. M. W. Turner

2. “It is only when we are no longer fearful that we begin to create.”
— J. M. W. Turner

3. “Light is therefore color.”
— J. M. W. Turner

4. “There’s a sketch at every turn.”
— J. M. W. Turner

5. “I don’t paint so that people will understand me, I paint to show what a particular scene looks like.”
— J. M. W. Turner

6. “It is necessary to mark the greater from the lesser truth: namely the larger and more liberal idea of nature from the comparatively narrow and confined; namely that which addresses itself to the imagination from that which is solely addressed to the eye.”
— J. M. W. Turner

7. “To select, combine and concentrate that which is beautiful in nature and admirable in art is as much the business of the landscape painter in his line as in the other departments of art.”
— J. M. W. Turner

8. “Painting can never show her nose in company with architecture but to have it snubbed.”
— J. M. W. Turner

9. “I hate married men. They never make any sacrifices to the arts, but are always thinking of their duties to their wives and families or some rubbish of that sort.”
— J. M. W. Turner

10. “If I could find anything blacker than black, I’d use it.”
— J. M. W. Turner

11. “My job is to paint what I see, not what I know.”
— J. M. W. Turner

12. “Painting is a strange business.”
— J. M. W. Turner