J.M.W. Turner

            J.M.W. Turner’s “The Fighting Temeraire tugged to her last Berth to be broken up” is a perfect example of the techniques that Turner was partial to using. The paint is laid on very thick with somewhat rough brushstrokes. Although the sunset and water are applied rather loose and thick, the boats in the painting are carefully crafted with smaller, thinner detail. His color palette consists of mostly light colors. With the extremely bright center of the sun, the color fades as it moves outward. The application technique allows for a hazy, majestic feel with smoky golden light. Further away from the setting sun, the sky is lighter and cooler. His loose application of beautiful colors is striking yet still creates a soothing mood.

The aesthetic techniques of this painting differ from those of earlier landscape artists in that it is lighter and more welcoming than before. In earlier paintings darker colors are typically used to show the landscape. Another quality that changes from earlier times is the more open attribute of the scene. Many paintings from other artists in previous eras depict landscapes as a far more complex scene with so many parts of nature taking part in the painting.  On the other hand, “The Fighting Temeraire” is a painting that illustrates a wide-open space using different somewhat lighter colors and pieces of nature while maintaining a simpler, yet still majestic feel.

            The large canvas Turner uses creates a more powerful image. The sheer size makes it more realistic, an outdoor scene captured and put into a painting. The size also emphasizes the colors of the scene and brings a more encompassing serene feeling. The subject matter seems to be a parallel between the past and the present. Turner depicts an old warship as well as a new boat coming in before the setting or possibly rising sun. Having these two boats side by side shows the comparison of the two time periods. The contrast between the veteran ship and the modern steam boat may be a depiction of the setting of simpler times that are now passing and the rise of new ways of the world. There are many qualities unique to Turner that collaborate to form an impressive and beautiful way to capture various landscapes around the world.