Joseph Mallord William Turner, known in his time as William Turner, was an English Romantic painter, printmaker and watercolourist. He is known for his expressive colouring, imaginative landscapes and turbulent, often violent marine paintings. He left behind more than 550 oil paintings, 2,000 watercolours, and 30,000 works on paper. He was championed by the leading English art critic John Ruskin from 1840, and is today regarded as having elevated landscape painting to an eminence rivalling history painting. Turner was born in Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London, to a modest lower-middle-class family and retained his lower class accent, while assiduously avoiding the trappings of success and fame. A child prodigy, Turner studied at the Royal Academy of Arts from 1789, enrolling when he was 14, and exhibited his first work there at 15. During this period, he also served as an architectural draftsman. He earned a steady income from commissions and sales, which due to his troubled, contrary nature, were often begrudgingly accepted. He opened his own gallery in 1804 and became professor of perspective at the academy in 1807, where he lectured until 1828. He travelled around Europe from 1802, typically returning with voluminous sketchbooks. Intensely private, eccentric, and reclusive, Turner was a controversial figure throughout his career. He did not marry, but fathered two daughters, Evelina (1801–1874) and Georgiana (1811–1843), by his housekeeper Sarah Danby. He became more pessimistic and morose as he got older, especially after the death of his father in 1829; when his outlook deteriorated, his gallery fell into disrepair and neglect, and his art intensified. In 1841, Turner rowed a boat into the Thames so he could not be counted as present at any property in that year's census. He lived in squalor and poor health from 1845, and died in London in 1851 aged 76. Turner is buried in St Paul's Cathedral, London.

Early Life and Training

Joseph Mallord William Turner, a renowned English Romantic painter, printmaker, and watercolourist, was born on April 23, 1775, in Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London. His father, William Turner, was a barber and wig maker, while his mother, Mary Marshall, came from a family of butchers. Turner's early life was marked by his prodigious artistic talent, which led to his admission to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1789 at the age of 14.

Artistic Career and Style

Turner is celebrated for his expressive colouring, imaginative landscapes, and turbulent marine paintings. His body of work includes over 550 oil paintings, 2,000 watercolours, and 30,000 works on paper. Notable for his intense private nature, Turner never married but had two daughters with his housekeeper, Sarah Danby.

• The Fighting Temeraire Tugged to Her Last Berth to Be Broken Up (1838), a poignant example of Turner's work, showcases his mastery of capturing the essence of marine life.
• His travels across Europe from 1802, often returning with voluminous sketchbooks, further solidify his dedication to his craft.
• Turner's elevation of landscape painting to an eminence rivalling history painting is a testament to his innovative spirit and artistic genius.

Legacy and Later Life

Turner's later years were marked by pessimism and poor health, leading to his death in London on December 19, 1851, at the age of 76. He is buried in St Paul's Cathedral, London. Key Works and Collections:

• View Turner's Artworks on WahooArt
• Explore Turner's Biography on Wikipedia
• Discover more about The National Gallery of Art's collection, featuring several of Turner's notable works.

Conclusion

Joseph Mallord William Turner's profound impact on the world of art is undeniable. His legacy continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike, cementing his place as one of the most influential figures in the history of Romantic painting. WahooArt.com and Wikipedia.org provide extensive resources for those seeking a deeper understanding of Turner's life and works.

**Early Life and Career**

Joseph Mallord William Turner, a renowned English Romantic painter, printmaker, and watercolourist, was born in Londres on April 23, 1775. His early life was marked by a modest lower-middle-class family, which he retained throughout his life despite his success. Turner's artistic journey began at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1789, where he enrolled at the age of 14. He exhibited his first work there at 15 and served as an architectural draftsman. This period laid the foundation for his future success, with a steady income from commissions and sales.

**Artistic Style and Themes**

Turner is celebrated for his expressive colouring, imaginative landscapes, and turbulent marine paintings. His works include:

• The Fighting Temeraire, showcasing his interest in contemporary technology.
• Rain, Steam and Speed, a testament to his innovative approach.
• Le Dernier Voyage du Téméraire, highlighting his audacious novation.

These pieces demonstrate Turner's free and expressive treatment of subjects, initially criticized but now widely appreciated.

**Legacy and Influence**

Turner bequeathed much of his work to the nation, with the majority now at Tate Britain. He is considered a precursor to Impressionism, alongside his contemporary John Constable.

• Renowned for his oils, Turner is also one of England's greatest watercolour landscape masters.
• His innovative approach earned him the nickname "the painter of light."
• Turner's work can be found in various collections, including the Tate Britain, which houses a significant portion of his art.

**Key Works and Collections:** * La Collezione d'Arte di Somerville College (Oxford, Regno Unito) - featuring works by Roger Eliot Fry, George Romney, and Ivon Hitchens * The greatest artists painters of all time at [https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/All-Popular-Artists](https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/All-Popular-Artists) * Turner's biography and works can be explored in-depth on [https://WahooArt.com/@/Joseph-Mallord-William-Turner](https://WahooArt.com/@/Joseph-Mallord-William-Turner)

**Conclusion**

Turner's impact on the art world is undeniable, with his legacy continuing to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike. His innovative approach to light and colour has cemented his place in the annals of art history. **Recommended Reading:** * [https://WahooArt.com/@/Joseph-Mallord-William-Turner](https://WahooArt.com/@/Joseph-Mallord-William-Turner) - Explore Turner's biography and works on WahooArt. * [https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mallord_William_Turner](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mallord_William_Turner) - Discover more about Turner's life and artistic style on Wikipedia.