William Turner - "Fishermen at sea"

     In contrast with the waves the sky seems to be more peaceful brushstrokes, consisting of yellows, blue blacks and the dominant black infuse with one another. To do this Turner was quite right in using oils, to have that subtle effect. What I do really like is Turner’s sense of detail, and I’m quite focused on the fishermen’s boat. Especially the lantern, which one of the fishermen is holding, as its flickers of light reflecting in the raw waves. Being of a red orange colour it could be symbolizing danger perhaps. Although this composition is certainly impressive, I am not too keen on the seagulls as they seem like an obligatory accessory to me. And what I’m still confused about is the view of the coast, and how a storm so extreme can be caused so close to it? It sort of ruined the sense of emergency for this composition to me.                                                                

     The onrush of light released upon the storm, almost dissolves the need of panic within the paint and instead sends a sense of peace for me. Ofcourse mostly caused by the moon, almost isolating itself and pushing away from the clouds, illuminating the turbulent waves and giving way for the horizon line. I sense that the moon is some sort of metaphor for a saviour perhaps, aiding the fishermen in their time of need. Maybe an emanation of God?                       

    There is one important feature of the light which I find most impressive about this painting, and it is how the muddy colours underneath the moon turn so bright, under the contrast of its extreme dark surroundings. It slightly fooled me at first thinking the moon didn’t emit enough light, but been caused by the harsh black colours. Almost as if it were a tranquil fight between light and dark within one composition. Clearly he was a great artist to have captured this in full intensity, being that in 1796 there wouldn’t have been any such thing as a camera and therefore I do truly praise him for his unconventional methods.