The Significance of Light

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) was the English Romantic landscape painter par excellence, and a dramatist of light. Turner’s genius lies in his recognition of the significance of light as more than just an optical phenomenon or parlor trick for atmospheric heroics. Light is not “present” in his paintings, in so much as it is a singular, haunting presence.

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The Significance of Light

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) was the English Romantic landscape painter par excellence, and a dramatist of light. Turner’s genius lies in his recognition of the significance of light as more than just an optical phenomenon or parlor trick for atmospheric heroics. Light is not “present” in his paintings, in so much as it is a singular, haunting presence.

September 27, 2012 / Comments Off