Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851)

Early Years:
In Turner's early paintings he did dramatic, Romantic subjects by emphasizing luminosity, and atmosphere. One can observe a more precise attention paid to architectural and natural details in his early years, as compared to his later years.

Warkworth Castle, Northumberland - Thunderstorm Approaching at Sunset

During this time, he played with all the styles of landscape composition including historical, architectural, mountainous, pastoral and marine. His series of 71 etchings, inspired from his existing paintings and watercolors, show all of these styles (1807-1819).

Middle Years:
His painting became more luminous and atmospheric. He began to focus more on color than the real details. St. Mawes at the Pilchard Season, is an example.

Frosty morning (1813) is based on the effects of light.

St. Mawes at the Pilchard (1812)

Advanced Years:
Still, he give less and less attention to detail, while his canvas now begin to get movement. His Norham Castle,is as mere color touch.

Norham Castle

Some of his more famous later paintings, he uses the theme of modern technology.  He moves away from marine matter, his own age represented as an old ship replaced by a steamboat, and focuses now on the railway in Rain, Steam, and Speed-the Great Western Railway (1844). This is a prime example of how Turner focused mainly on colors and the idea of fluidity through his colors. 

The Fifhting Temeraire

 "When Rothko saw an exhibition of Turners at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1966, he joked, 'This guy Turner, he learnt a lot from me.'"

 Mark Rothko (1903-1970)

Rothko's art had emotional content that he represented through a range of styles that evolved from figurative to abstract. Rothko's early figurative work - including landscapes, still lifes, figure studies, and portraits - demonstrated an ability to blend Expressionism and Surrealism. His search for new forms of expression led to his Color Field paintings, which employed shimmering color to convey a sense of spirituality.

 




















 "If you are only moved by color relationships, you are missing the point. I am interested in expressing the big emotions - tragedy, ecstasy, doom."- Rothko.



If you want to learn more about Rothko and Turner, click here:
http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/2011_03_Art-vs-Science_Turner-Rothko.htm
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=am0bsz5NPioo