Sun Setting Over a Lake

On this day in 1775, Joseph Mallord William Turner, an English Romantic painter, printmaker and watercolorist, was born. He is known for his expressive coloring; imaginative landscapes; and turbulent, often violent marine paintings. He left behind more than 550 oil paintings, 2,000 watercolors, and 30,000 works on paper. He is today regarded as having elevated landscape painting to an eminence rivaling history painting. When you look at today's painting, it is clear why!

This remarkable painting likely depicts Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne and reflects the growing interest in the artist’s late work after his death. It is unclear why the piece remained in his studio, but the absence of recognizable landmarks suggests it was unfinished in 1851. Part of the Turner Bequest, it remained unseen until 1932. In 1966, it was displayed in the Turner: Imagination and Reality exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This exhibition solidified Turner’s impact on American abstract artists, including Robert Motherwell and Helen Frankenthaler.

P.S. Check out how other artists painted marine scenes; in our Sea, Ships & Beaches 50 Postcards Set you will find a selection of the best maritime and coastal scenes from various times and styles!  :)

P.P.S. Turner is one of the most famous British artists ... but how much do you know about him and his art? Take our Turner QUIZ and find out! For more stories on this amazing painter, see the articles below.