Artist Report: Joseph Mallord William Turner

Bibliographical Facts
1. He painted the Fighting Temeraire in 1839 in London
2. He was the son of a barber and a wig maker
3. He began his career at the Royal Academy of Arts at age 14
4. He was believed to have two daughters
5. He lived with his father for 40 years
6. He was a painter, printmaker, and watercolorist
7. He was born in Maiden Lane, Covet Garden, London
8. He did not marry

Interesting Facts
1. He painted the Fighting Temeraire scene while sketching as the temeraire was towed
away to be broken up for scraps
2. He became famous for painting the sea in all weathers
3. He once tied himself to a mast so he could sketch a storm
4. He painted the fighting temeraire as an oil painting on canvas
5. Many of his paintings were based on his travels
6. His will promoted his art
7. His mother went to a mental hospital
8. His father sold his paintings from his barber shop

Gallery

The shipwreck – 1805 Childe Harold - 1823

Wreckers Coast of Northumberland – 1834 The Burning of the Houses of Parliament – 1834
The Fighting Temeraire tugged to her last berth to be broken up – 1839 Shore Scene with Waves and Breakwater – 1835

My Thoughts About the Work

I like Turners art because it is more on the realistic side and that is my preferred side of art. He
uses color well to bring pieces together and make them look more unified. He does mostly
painting and watercolor, so there aren’t many harsh lines, which makes his pieces look cleaner
and more realistic. He uses space by putting the main points of arts in spaces that are visually
pleasing. He has texture on his paintings with thicker paint types. He uses value to make cerian
elements look further or closer from the viewer.

Sources
- https://artlistr.com/joseph-mallord-william-turner-6-interesting-facts/
- https://learnodo-newtonic.com/jmw-turner-facts
- https://www.wikiart.org/en/william-turner