Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Bridgewater Sea Piece



Possibly my favourite marine painting, J.M.W. Turner's Dutch Boats in a Gale (the Bridgewater Sea Piece), 1801, was painted as a pendant (companion piece hanging below) to a similar scene by Willem van de Velde for the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater. See below:















Turner's application of oil paint became increasing transparent and washy as he matured, and his oils began to look more and more like watercolours. This fluidity allowed him to create wonderfully subtle and luminous atmospheric effects.

The Fighting Temeraire, 1839

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