The New Statesman | UK politics and culture Turner at 250: why Britain's most influential artist still matters
May 12, 2025
Michael Prodger, the art critic for the New Statesman, delves into the life and work of J.M.W. Turner, Britain's most renowned landscape painter. With 2025 marking Turner's 250th anniversary, Prodger highlights how Turner's exploration of nature, technology, and national identity remains relevant. They discuss Turner's artistic evolution from watercolours to oils, his philosophical ties to Romantic ideals, and the eccentricities that shaped his art during turbulent times. Turner's legacy continues to influence modern perceptions of landscape painting.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Turner's Artistic Evolution and Impact
- Turner elevated landscape painting to the prestige of history painting, giving it national importance.
- His style progressed from detailed landscapes to a form anticipating Impressionism and abstract art.
Turner's Historical Backdrop and Roots
- Turner grew up during the Napoleonic Wars and early Industrial Revolution, shaping his art.
- He was a native Londoner and part of the first generation of truly British-born prominent artists.
Turner's Early Fame as a Prodigy
- Turner first exhibited at the Royal Academy at just 14 and earned more as a teenager than his barber father.
- His early recognition marked him as a prodigy and was crucial to his career.