Late Tuner: Painting set free

Stunning exhibition at Tate Britain looking at Turner’s work in the last 16 years of his life.

The exhibition focused on how experimental Turner was in these years even though he was successful and could have sold anything he had painted. He came across as a very modern painter always looking for the next style or technique. I loved the room of square and round pictures and think “Peace – Burial at sea” was my favourite picture in the show.

There was some speculation as to whether some of the new ideas were because of failing or changing eye sight but if this was the cause it created some wonderful results.

I was interested to see how much Turner travelled even in later life and although he had a fascination with the past, he also engaged with the present. We look at pictures like those of the fire at the Houses of Parliament as historic works but to Turner’s audience these were contemporary events and must have felt very exciting works.

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