Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(See “Tate Britain Overview” map,
here
.)
The Tate Britain has the world's best collection of works by J. M. W. Turner (1775-1851).
Walking through his life's work, you can trace his progression from a painter of realistic
historical scenes, through his wandering years, to Impressionist paintings of color-and-
light patterns.
• As you explore the collection, you'll watch Turner's style evolve from clear-eyed realism
to hazy proto-Impressionism. You'll also see how Turner dabbled in different subjects:
landscapes, seascapes, Roman ruins, snapshots of Venice, and so on.
Self-Portrait as a Young Man
At 24, Turner has just been elected the youngest Associate of the Royal Academy. The
son of a Covent Garden barber now dresses like a gentleman. His clear, realistic painting
style caught the public's fancy. The full-frontal pose and intense gaze of this portrait show
a young man ready to take on the world.
