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J.M.W. Turner Facts & Worksheets

Joseph Mallord William Turner, commonly known as J.M.W. Turner, was an English painter considered one of the greatest landscape painters in art history.

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Joseph Mallord William Turner, commonly known as J.M.W. Turner, was an English painter considered one of the greatest landscape painters in art history.

See the fact file below for more information on J.M.W Turner, or you can download our 22-page J.M.W. Turner worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

EARLY LIFE

  • Joseph Mallord William Turner was born on April 23, 1775, in Covent Garden, London, England. He was the son of William Turner, a barber and wig maker, and Mary Marshall. 
  • Turner showed early artistic talent, and his father, recognizing his potential, supported his artistic aspirations.
  • At a young age, Turner attended various schools, including the Margate School, where he received a formal education. He also received private tutoring, which focused on developing his drawing skills. 
  • Turner’s artistic abilities were evident from a young age, and he began selling his drawings to his father’s customers.
  • In 1789, at the age of 14, Turner entered the Royal Academy of Arts in London. He studied under renowned artists such as Sir Joshua Reynolds, who was the president of the Royal Academy at the time. 
  • Turner quickly gained recognition for his talent and was known for his ability to capture accurate architectural details and landscapes.
  • During his early years, Turner exhibited watercolors and drawings at the Royal Academy, establishing himself as a promising artist. 
  • He also worked as an architectural draftsman, producing detailed illustrations for publications and commissions. These experiences allowed him to hone his technical skills and develop a keen eye for detail.
  • Turner’s early works were influenced by Dutch landscape painters, particularly in terms of their meticulous attention to detail and precise brushwork. He also drew inspiration from classical art and the works of old masters, often making copies of their paintings to study their techniques.
  • As he progressed in his career, Turner began to experiment with light, atmosphere, and mood, moving away from strict representational art. 
  • His travels across England and Europe provided him with abundant subject matter and diverse landscapes to explore in his paintings.

CAREER

  •  J.M.W. Turner had a long and prolific career as a landscape painter, spanning over six decades. His career can be divided into several phases, each characterized by different artistic styles and themes.
  • Turner began his career by exhibiting his works at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. He gained recognition for his landscape and marine paintings, which showed his technical skill and attention to detail. 
  • His early works often depicted picturesque scenes with precise architectural elements. He also received commissions for illustrations and engravings.
  • In the early 1800s, Turner embraced the Romantic movement and began to focus on capturing the sublime and dramatic aspects of nature. 
  • He traveled extensively throughout England, Scotland, and Europe, seeking inspiration from various landscapes and cultures. Turner’s paintings during this period showcased his growing interest in light, atmosphere, and mood. 
  • He used vibrant colors and loose brushwork to convey the emotional impact of the scenes he encountered.
  • Turner’s fascination with the sea and maritime themes became more prominent in the middle of his career. 
  • He produced numerous paintings depicting ships, storms, and seascapes. These works demonstrated his ability to capture the ever-changing nature of water and the play of light on its surface. 
  • In the later years of his career, Turner’s style became more experimental and abstract. He moved away from strict representation and focused on conveying the essence of a scene through light and color. 
  • His brushwork became looser, and he employed techniques such as scraping and glazing to create texture and depth. Some critics and contemporaries found his works challenging and unconventional, but they had a significant influence on the development of modern art.
  • J.M.W. Turner’s artistic contributions and innovations had a lasting impact on the art world. 
  • His emphasis on capturing light, atmospheric effects, and the sublime transformed landscape painting. Turner’s experimental approach to color and form laid the groundwork for Impressionism and other modern art movements. He continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest landscape painters in art history.
  • Turner’s ability to convey emotion and the sublime in his paintings set him apart from his contemporaries. His works often depicted scenes of intense drama, such as shipwrecks, storms, or fiery sunsets, which aimed to evoke powerful emotional responses from viewers.
  • Overall, his art style can be characterized by his mastery of capturing light and atmosphere, his bold use of color, and his ability to evoke emotion. His innovative techniques and experimental approach paved the way for the development of modern art movements, leaving a lasting impact on the art world.

NOTABLE WORKS

  • J.M.W. Turner created a vast body of work throughout his career, with numerous notable paintings that have become iconic in the history of art. Here are some of his most renowned and significant works:

“The Fighting Temeraire” (1839):

  • Considered one of Turner’s masterpieces, this painting depicts the decommissioned HMS Temeraire being towed by a steam tugboat to its final berth to be broken up. The contrast between the majestic but obsolete sailing ship and the modern industrial steamship symbolizes the passing of an era. 

“Rain, Steam, and Speed – The Great Western Railway” (1844):

  • This painting showcases Turner’s fascination with the impact of modern technology. It portrays a locomotive hurtling across a railway bridge amid a tumultuous rainstorm. The composition captures a sense of movement, speed, and the dramatic forces of nature.

“The Slave Ship” (1840):

  • This powerful and evocative painting depicts a ship in a storm and its cargo of slaves being thrown overboard by the captain to claim insurance compensation for their loss.
  • Turner used vivid colors and swirling brushwork to portray the violence of the scene, raising questions about morality and the abolition of slavery.

“The Burning of the Houses of Parliament” (1835):

  • Turner painted this work following the devastating fire that engulfed the Palace of Westminster in 1834. The painting captures the dramatic blaze, with flames engulfing the iconic landmark. It demonstrates Turner’s ability to convey the sublime and the destructive power of nature.

“The Sun Rising through Vapour” (1807):

  • This painting showcases Turner’s fascination with the effects of light and atmospheric conditions. 
  • It depicts the rising sun breaking through a misty and hazy atmosphere, creating a luminous and ethereal scene. 
  • The work exemplifies his skill in capturing the subtle nuances of light and creating a sense of atmospheric depth. 
  • “Snow Storm: Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps” (1812):
  • This painting portrays Hannibal’s army struggling to traverse the treacherous Alpine terrain during their campaign against Rome. 
  • Turner uses swirling brushwork and layers of paint to create a turbulent and chaotic snowstorm, conveying the forces of nature and the challenges faced by the soldiers.

J.M.W Turner Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about J.M.W Turner across 22 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about J.M.W. Turner; Turner was an English painter considered one of the greatest landscape painters in art history.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. J.M.W. Turner Facts
  2. Turner’s Life
  3. Painter’s Tools
  4. Painter’s MEaning
  5. Poetic Paint
  6. Painting History
  7. Painting a Title
  8. Modern Landscape View
  9. Illustrate our Landscape
  10. The Priceless Treasure
  11. Our Local Artist

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was J.M.W. Turner?

J.M.W. Turner, full name Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), was an English Romantic landscape painter and watercolorist. He is considered one of the greatest British artists and is renowned for his innovative use of light, color, and atmospheric effects in his paintings.

What are some notable works by J.M.W. Turner?

Some notable works by J.M.W. Turner include “The Fighting Temeraire” (1839), “Rain, Steam, and Speed – The Great Western Railway” (1844), “The Slave Ship” (1840), “Snow Storm: Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps” (1812), and “The Burning of the Houses of Parliament” (1834).

How did J.M.W. Turner’s style contribute to the art world?

Turner’s style was characterized by his ability to capture the transient effects of light and atmospheric conditions. His loose brushwork, dramatic use of color, and emphasis on mood and emotion had a profound influence on future generations of artists, including the Impressionists. Turner’s innovative techniques helped redefine landscape painting and pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in art during his time.

What role did J.M.W. Turner play in the art establishment of his time?

Turner was a prominent figure in the British art establishment and had a successful career. He became a member of the Royal Academy of Arts at the age of 26 and eventually became its Professor of Perspective. He exhibited his works extensively at the Royal Academy and other prestigious exhibitions, gaining recognition and financial success during his lifetime.

How did J.M.W. Turner’s work evolve over his career?

Turner’s work underwent significant stylistic changes throughout his career. In his early years, he focused on detailed topographical views and architectural studies. However, as he matured, his style became more experimental, with looser brushwork and a greater emphasis on light and atmosphere. Later in his career, his paintings became more abstract and atmospheric, with a sense of dissolution and a departure from traditional representation. This evolution demonstrated his constant exploration and willingness to push the boundaries of artistic expression.

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