Looking at J.M.W. Turner | Rachel Petruccillo Art

This week, I went to see an exhibition of 100 paintings (watercolor and a few oils) by J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) the English romantic painter. I haven’t viewed much art in person lately and this was a rare opportunity to see such a large collection of Turner’s work in my area.

The show was at the Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut. It’s the largest maritime museum in the United States. I haven’t visited since I was a kid. It’s the sort of place you visit on a school field trip to walk aboard old ships and watch people in costume making crafts or playing sea shanties in 19th century buildings. Lots of fun for kids.

What’s new is that there is now a beautiful new building which housed the Turner show, the Thompson Exhibition Building. I’d have taken a photo but it was raining!

Turner’s abstraction of landscape is what fascinates me the most. I thought I’d share a few highlights from the show. These are just cell phone photos and it’s tricky to photograph art behind glass but I think you can get an idea of what interested me in this work.

Looking at J.M.W. Turner 1 — J.M.W. Turner Exhibition at the Mystic Seaport

Looking at J.M.W. Turner 2 — A Harpooned Whale 1845 – there are 2 whales in this painting, one has been harpooned. The loosely employed watercolor and dramatic bleeding sea are what I found intriguing in this watercolor.

J.M.W. Turner Watercolors from Tate at Mystic Seaport 2020 — Two more highly abstracted landscapes in watercolor

Oil Painting - J.M.W. Turner Watercolors from Tate at Mystic Seaport 2020 — One of only a few oil paintings in the show. “Stormy Sea with Dolphins” circa 1835-40.

Detail - J.M.W. Turner Watercolors from Tate at Mystic Seaport 2020 — A detail from “Stormy Sea with Dolphins”

Rachel at J.M.W. Turner Watercolors from Tate at Mystic Seaport 2020 — Although I didn’t photograph the outside of the building, you can see the incredible “bones” of it behind me. Also, this photo depicts how I feel in crowded exhibitions!

I will admit I don’t enjoy museums as much as I used to because they are always very crowded, but, it’s always better to see art in person!

Have you gone to any shows lately? Are there any you plan to visit this year?

Let’s stay in touch.