Turner in London
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Joseph Mallord William Turner is one of the giants
of art history. His style is unique and unmistakable, and his influence on
art has been immense. He also left a huge legacy of paintings; a great
many of which can be found in and around London.
For those with a few spare hours and an interest
in some of the greatest oil paintings on British soil, I thoroughly
recommend you go visit the four museums listed below and see some of
Turner's masterpieces for yourself. For those with less time, why not let
me take you on a virtual tour of these galleries?
So pour yourself a glass of Bordeaux, put on your
smoking jacket and slippers and let me guide you through the most
comprehensive tour of Turner's London paintings the web has to offer.
First Stop, South Ken
Our tour starts in South Kensington, courtesy of
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert; the V&A museum. The museum houses a
large and sundry collection of exhibits, some of which are, admittedly,
rather mundane. That said, there are a large number of 'gems' to be
found amidst the lofty marble halls, one of which is to be our first focus
of attention. Room 57, floor 3 entitled Britain 1760 - 1900. Hung tightly
around the dimly lit small room are a collection of 18th Century British
oil paintings. After scanning around the room it won't take long for your
gaze to settle on Turner's ethereal vision of Venice.
The revolutionary painting fuses a realistic
vision of Venice with a minds eye impression of the city. The result is
both striking and subtle. It can almost feel as though you are drifting
into the painting, and when you leave the museum there is a lingering
sensation that you have actually visited Venice.
Before leaving we must pass through room 103, also
on level 3, where we will find another four Turner paintings. Whilst these
paintings are not quite as remarkable as the Impression of Venice,
East Cowes Castle is another great masterpiece. You don't believe
me? Well, ask legendry Victorian art critic John Ruskin, who described the
painting as 'one of the highest pieces of intellectual art existing'. I
told you it was good.
On to Piccadilly
But now we must move on, deeper into the heart of
the capital to find our next stop, 55 Piccadilly Road, and home of the
Royal Academy of Art. This museum is much smaller than the V&A, and most
of the building is reserved for paid exhibitions. However, we are
unconcerned with these parts, because on the second floor at the front of
the building are a few rooms that anyone from the public can wander
through, and this is where we'll find our next Turner.
The room is large, well lit, and only a few
paintings decorate the walls. The Dolbadern Castle
is a large dark painting which dominates the wall space it's been
given. Less surreal in execution, yet delicately composed the painting
exudes emotion.
The other paintings in the room, picked by
chronological date rather than theme, serve only to exemplify Turner as a
master painter.
Now take your time, and be sure to fully absorb
everything this picture has offer because we are in no rush. When you're
ready we'll make the short trip across Piccadilly circus, towards Trafalgar
Square, where we find our next gallery; the National Gallery no less.
Trafalgar Square
The National Gallery is stocked to the brim with
master pieces from some of Art's biggest names. In fact, Turner himself
used to walk the halls of the national gallery, finding inspiration from
past masters like Rubens, Vermeer and Claude. However, our attention is
focused upon Turner himself, so follow me to Room 15 and resist the urge
to wander off to some of the many fine distractions (there'll be time for
that later).
Two major Turner's adorn the walls, complimenting
the two Claude's from which Turner drew inspiration. Contrasting in style
and subject, you'll want to give yourself plenty of time to let the
richness of the paintings sink in fully.
Dido Building Carthage is picturesque epic,
steeped in romanticism and clearly echoing the sentiment of the accompanying Claude
painting. However, Turner manages to add
a mystical quality to the scene with the more subtle lighting and
balanced composition. The complimentary Sun Rising Through Vapor is
another fine example of landscape painting at its most powerful.
Now a short walk to Room 35. Five Turner's grace
our presence; amongst them The Fighting Temeraire and Rail -
Steam - Speed, some of the most famous and most potent of Turner's
works. The room is large and depending when you go will probably be quite
busy. However, don't let that distract you because you are standing in
front of works of art that are without peer. The Fighting Temeraire
is a beautiful metaphor for the passing of the romantic age. The sun sets
dramatically as an old war ship is tugged out to sea where it will be laid
to rest beneath the waves; the age of wind power giving way to the age of
steam power. This theme is shared by Rail -
Steam - Speed, where the striking man-made railway and train dominate
the foreground and contrast with the more classical scenic backdrop. The
bridge that dissects the painting perhaps represents the link between a
more simplistic age, and the modern world in which we live today.
Spend as long as you wish reflecting on these
great works, for it would be foolish to rush past these national
treasures.
Tate Britain
Well, that almost concludes the whistle-stop tour. If
your thirst for Turner hasn't been fully quenched however, don't fret -
the Tate Britain is only a stones throw away and has an entire wing
dedicated to the man. So why not head on over to the Clore
collection and finish they day in style. Be sure to keep an eye out for
Dordrecht. There are many other great Turner paintings here I would
recommend, but at this stage of the tour it's probably more fun to let you
discover them on your own.
So, there you have it - four museums, over 200
Turner's masterpieces, and not an entry fee in sight. There are certainly
worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Return
to top
Directions: Nearest tube
station
V&A Museum - South Kensington station
Royal Academy - Picadilly Circus or Green Park
National Gallery - Leicester Square
Tate Gallery - Westminster Station
The bus 14 will take you door to door from the V&A
to The Royal Academy.
