Turner and the Sea

A life long Turner fan, I ordered this book hoping for a sharp focus on his many marine paintings - in particular, the early ones that helped make his reputation. The book arrived three days ahead of schedule, and well before a worst case date that was about a month out from the order date. Upon examination, the book is indeed informative and detailed; but one of its strengths may be its weak point. It gives a good deal of coverage to other marine artists and their paintings in order to place Turner in the world of marine art. This interesting coverage takes up considerable illustration space that could have been used to show both more Turner paintings and/or larger illustrations. Also, there are a significant number of studies or unfinished works. These show the artist creating, but come at the expense of works that didn't make it into this beautiful book.

Nice book for someone who wants informations about Turner and his art. got his place in my library

I am a fan of Turner's and an oil painter, and have been looking for a good review of his work. I get great pleasure from this book, within the context of other painters of the period.

I started painting lessons last year, and one afternoon I saw this on my teacher's coffee table. I opened it to what was one of the most breathtaking paintings I've ever seen. If I could paint that picture I'd never pick up another brush!Being new at this, I'd never heard of Turner (shame) but this book, aside from providing spectacular plates, gives great background on Turner.

had the opportunity to see this show in person at the peobody-essex museum in salem MA.....can't recommend it highly enuf...if you get a chance to see it go.....there are no comparisions.....there's TURNER....then everybody else....

Great book to have after reading the Anthony Bailey biography and seeing the movie with Timothy Spall.

Brilliant

This exhibit was shown at the National Maritime Museum, in Greenwich, London (November 2013-April 2014). It will continue at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts (May 31-September 1, 2014). It is significant for the following reasons. Visitors of this highly anticipated exhibit are given the opportunity to reimmerse themselves into the socio-cultural circumstances and fascinating life of one of the most influential painters in the history of British art, J.M.W Turner (1775-1851). Likewise, readers of this exceptionally detailed and well-researched accompanying catalog with more than 150 illustrations will explore the vast territory of the artist's singular determination and established reputation as a seascape painter. For this purpose, Turner's identity is praised and elevated to that of a highly individualistic, controversial, and "most prolific marine artist" of the 19th century.The goal of the lead curator of the exhibit, Christine Riding, and that of co-curator, Richard Johns, is to reaffirm Turner's contributions to marine painting. Turner wished that seascape painting be made more appealing to a wider and diverse audience. In that sense, his practical and personal feelings for marine art transcended its customary definition as "only a specialist genre."The exhibit collaborators also choose to examine in depth the essence and results of "the artist's lifelong engagement with the sea." They approach their task with gratitude since they are accomplishing significant work in a "first major exhibition" devoted to the above topic.The seven chapters of the catalog and the seven major themes of the exhibit itself seek to establish the following facts. Turner "painted the sea more often than any other subject." He did so with bold experimentation in style using a variety of media and methods. Throughout this exhibit, we are reminded that "the sea remained at the center of the artist's vision" at all times during this artistic process and artistic development. The exhibit also establishes the point that Turner's singularity of focus and reverence for recording the sea deserves lasting recognition in the history of art and also in the history of landscape painting. The exhibit emphasizes a key correlation between Turner's serious approach to the sea and his view of it as the site of numerous important perspectives.For the artist, the sea represented a valuable geological and historical document, an emotional source of personal freedom, and inspiration for the highest form of artistic expression possible. In centering on Turner's specific attitudes toward these new possibilities of the painted landscape, the exhibit brings into sharper focus Turner's continued wish for a reappreciation of marine painting within constricted Victorian art circles. The exhibit credits the artist with redefining marine painting as an art of merit, beauty, power, creative potential, and impulse.So, as this exhibit and catalog makes abundantly clear, Turner can be viewed as rescuing the seascape from "the margins, to the very center of the British art world."Further important points about this exhibit are also notable. The exhibit demonstrates in a highly visible, chronological and capable manner the myriad of ways in which Turner chose to investigate the "storm and calm" themes of a given marine vista. Ultimately, whether the artist chose to capture such views in highly realistic or decidedly abstracted terms, Turner devoted his energy to a unique goal. The artist succeeded admirably in moving beyond the conventional and ordinary approach to seascapes. In this regard, the exhibit confirms that he "made waves" with his highly unexpected connections to his favorite subject matter.For Turner, the sea, along with its continuous dynamic of water and air, was defined as possessing a distinctly natural character. It could be evidently represented as ideally changeable and permanent, incomprehensible and clear, peaceful and turbulent, at the mercy of man and at the mercy of supernatural forces.This exhibit also invites the viewer to understand that Turner's 30 year career comprised much more than his emotional and visionary tendencies, firsthand experiences in "excellent sailing, experienced traveling, and artistic watchfulness", and unique depictions involving drama, variations in light, and enigmatic, sentimentalized, and grand presentations.Turner, the artist, was also a recognized teacher and scholar. He inspired countless generations of creative minds on the importance of directly observing from nature and participating in it. He felt that this part of artistic development was essential to the maintenance of artistic practice, skill, and career. Turner's express wish was to instruct others about how to approach painting. He also maintained a lifelong desire to integrate distinctive views of "sea, ship, and coastline" into one impressive landscape summary of light, color, and environment.According to curator Christine Riding, such summaries are admirably preserved in Turner's "Liber Studiorum" (Book of Studies) project of 1807-1819. It is notable that Turner dedicated his personal energy and finances to completing the project. According to Christine Riding, Turner's famous book on painting still remains as the definitive study guide, tool, and "manifesto for contemporary British landscape art." Turner specifically directed the important work to serve and benefit all aspiring "collectors, connoisseurs, students, and artists."Co-curator Richard Johns also notes that Turner's sketchbooks are replete with "observations, memoranda, and annotations." These important thoughts preserved in approximately 280 sketchbooks, attest to the fact that Turner was a thoroughly professional artist, that he aimed to perfect a journalist accuracy in preserving national landscapes and landmarks, and that his initially "restless and diversified output" of approximately 1800 watercolors and oil paintings, actually spoke a universal language.To conclude, this important exhibit on Turner's work as an artist highlights the importance and power of his images of the sea. These images resonate with boundless energy and vitality. With careful consideration, Turner's seascapes illuminate the work of an artist sincerely concerned with organizing and recording the elements around him. At the same time, he succeeded in adding as much meaning and beauty to such an experience as he could possibly accomplish.

A great insight into Turner's process and range of paintings. The images are a little small in many places which is a shame as the book is very thick. The text is fairly academic and dense but there are a lot of examples of the master's work worth seeing. Definitely worth buying if you are researching or studying turner.

I have to say I am disappointed in this book. Many of the prints are very small and give way to the text. I really feel this is quite poor because it suggests the author rates her writing more than Turners paintings. It makes no sense when you have such a large format in terms of book size to then print images so small you cannot see the paintings detail, how they are done. The cover art of 'Rockets and Blue Lights' is a great painting but incomplete on the cover obviously, on seeing the same painting inside the book it is printed on a small scale. Why!

This book arrived quickly and in excellent order. It is a lovely work with excellent illustrations, which include some close-up details of the larger works and an enjoyable text. The inclusion of other sea painters, particularly Bonnington and Sargent, is most welcome.

A simply excellent book. It's a collection of essays on Turner, which explain so much about his life and his work, and it's based on an exhibition of his work. The writing is really interesting and the pictures are super printed quality. I feel very privileged to have a copy of this. Overall fabulous.

Having visited the exhibition at the National Maritime Museum ( well worth a visit) I regretted not buying the paperback version of this (£25) at the show. Having bought the hardback on line for less I don't feel so bad (though I wish you pay more tax in the UK Amazon) It's an award winning guide and it is simply stunning. Beautifully illustrated and very well written for the relatively uninformed and expert alike it's much, much more than a coffee table book.