The audience’s eyes are first directed toward the colourful and intensifying sunset in the distance. Turners carefully selected array of peaches, gold’s, yellows and whites entwined within the sunset invite the audience to come into the picture and delve inside. The left half of the painting consists predominately of cool colours, contrasting the warm and vibrant colours on the right hand side, whilst balancing out the warmness. Turner has used quick whirling brushstrokes to create the impression of the shimmering sun on the rippling sea, and the thick full marshmallow like clouds above. Whilst achieving all of this he has instilled a sense of reality which keeps the audience engrossed from the very first glance.
We can see that Turners relationship with his painting is quite intricate, and he has successfully endeavoured to evoke certain feelings and bring across a few messages to the viewer. One can see the inordinate power manifested in the little steam boat which is tugging the huge warship. The small tugboat seems to just ease its way through the calm and undisturbed water, mirroring the peacefulness of the entire landscape, and maybe even the peacefulness within Turner himself at the time of painting. It is inevitable that Turner had a sense of luminosity and vigour within him at this point in time, as he has conveyed this throughout his painting, especially through the powerfulness of the steam boat, and the intensity of the sunset.
In Turners youth, he was moved to live with his Uncle on the river Thames due to a few family problems. It was here where he found his love for painting, and throughout his life, the river would have been an important part of his being. ‘The Fighting Temeraire’ is actually set on the river Thames, so living there in his childhood would have had a huge impact on and would have been a primary source for the vivid colours that are pictured within his landscape. His fondness for the river is palpable in the painting, we can see the love that was poured into the picture and feel the happiness that was kindling inside of him at the time of painting.
Times were changing when Turner was painting this picture, the old versus new imagery in the picture reveal Turners understanding of the transition of one generation to another. Whilst embracing the new era of steam power, Turner chose to also include the boats of the past. The Temeraire’s significantly large sails, its size, and its stature suggest indirectly the glory of the past. Her noble posture seems to embrace the glory she once had, and contrasts beautifully with the steam engine tugging it along in front. Additionally Turners style of work began a change, where sometime after 1800 his paintings grew more dazzling and brilliant as time went on. Eventually, a relatively new and upcoming style ‘Impressionism’ became his predominate form of expression, and became a prevalent style in his work. Gradual, transparent, bright light became his trademark next to blurring, flurry objects, in which he was able to create unique masterpieces, pieces that, are still highly esteemed today. The combination of a new style ‘Impressionism’ and a new subject of ‘steam’ transportation clashed beautifully in his artwork ‘The Temeraire’, where audiences of that time were not accustomed completely with such form or content, but were pleasantly surprised with the blend.
This painting is my, and many others, favourite. The colours are just amazingly arranged into an incredible formation of strokes, creating an overall amazing painting. The sunset is by far my favourite bit of the landscape, it lures me in and I could stare at it for ever. Every time I examine the painting I find something new and different about his subjects, his use of colour or the way in which he has communicated his technique, which I didn’t pick up on before. I love how it has a sort of solemn and soothing vibe on water, yet an effervescent and vibrant vibe existing within the sky. Turner’s brushwork is amazing, using small whirling, and quick strokes to create the imitation of clouds and the sky, then a smooth glossy effect on the water. The more I look at it the more I appreciate the artwork and the artist, it truly is phenomenal.
Rachel Prince.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wikipedia, 2008, 11 July 2008, , viewed 2nd August 2008.
Gerten, Carol L. J.M.W. Turner, 1775-1851. Internet. 2nd August 2008.
Hirsh, Diana and the Editors of Time-Life Books. The World of Turner, 1775-1851 New York: Time-Life Books.
Hidden Treasures at the National Gallery: A Selection of Studies and Drawings by J.M.W. Turner, Pall Mall Press, London.
John Ruskin, The Art Bin Origo, The Fighting Téméraire (1839) viewed on the 2nd August
George P. Landow, Thackeray on Turner's "The Fighting Temeraire", viewed on the 2nd August, ,