Date of Birth: April 23, 1775
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: December 19, 1851
Biography
Joseph Mallord William Turner, commonly known as J. M. W. Turner, was an English Romantic painter, printmaker, and watercolorist, born on April 23, 1775, in Covent Garden, London. He is renowned for his expressive colorizations, imaginative landscapes, and turbulent marine paintings. Turner is often referred to as “the painter of light” and is considered a forerunner of modern art. His work is regarded as a precursor to Impressionism, demonstrating an innovative use of color and light that broke away from the more traditional approaches of the early 19th century. Turner showed an early talent for drawing, and by the age of 14, he had enrolled in the Royal Academy of Arts. His early works were conventional and detailed, but as he matured, his style became more fluid and expressive. His groundbreaking approach can be seen in masterpieces such as “The Fighting Temeraire” (1839) and “Rain, Steam and Speed – The Great Western Railway” (1844). Despite his success, Turner was known to be a reclusive and eccentric individual. He never married but had several close relationships throughout his life. Turner continued to paint until his death and left a vast collection of work to the nation, which is housed primarily at Tate Britain.
5 Interesting Facts about J. M. W. Turner
1. Turner was accepted into the Royal Academy of Arts at the young age of 14.
2. He was known for his eccentric behavior, including wearing a heavy coat in all weather and using unusual methods to achieve his artistic effects.
3. Despite his success, Turner remained secretive about his private life and had a relatively modest lifestyle.
4. Turner left over 19,000 paintings, drawings, and sketches to the British nation upon his death.
5. He was deeply affected by the death of his father in 1829, which influenced his darker and more somber works during that period.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from J. M. W. Turner
1. “My business is to paint what I see, not what I know is there.”
2. “Light is therefore color.”
3. “I paint so that I can see.”
4. “If I could find anything blacker than black, I’d use it.”
5. “Indistinctness is my forte.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Turner’s highest net worth, adjusted for inflation, is estimated to be around £140 million, primarily due to the value of his extensive body of work.
Children
J. M. W. Turner never married and did not have any known children.
Relevant Links
2. [Wikipedia – J. M. W. Turner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._M._W._Turner
4. [Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/J-M-W-Turner
