Life And Work Of J M W Turner R A

Author : Robert Chignell
Publisher : CreateSpace
ISBN 13 : 9781496098801
Total Pages : 274 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (988 download)

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Download or read book J. M. W. Turner, R. A. written by Robert Chignell and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2014-02 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the PREFACE: IF for one reason only, it is justifiable to present a fresh view of Turner's life. His biographers, whilst rendering due homage to the artist, have done scant justice to the man; exaggerating his faults, making much of his rough outside manners, but too little of his fine inner qualities and of the force of his intellect. Mr. Thornbury's book is a medley of facts, conjectures, and stories, authentic or otherwise, presented in a form perplexing to the reader. Mr. Hamerton's is full of generous appreciation, but was avowedly written with the object of proving from Turner's paintings his own pet heresy that Art has nothing to do with the representation of nature. Mr. Cosmo Monkhouse's is charming both in matter and style, but, unfortunately, shares with Mr. Thornbury's and Mr. Hamerton's one grave defect. One and all, they repeat statements reflecting on the character of Turner which have their origin in mere gossip, and which, even if true, would better have been left untold. That Turner had his failings cannot be denied, but it should be urged on his behalf that he lived in an age when such faults were lightly regarded and lightly excused. Modern biographers seem to assume that it is for them to anticipate a judgment day and to disclose every petty fault, every serious failing of personal character. The poet, painter, musician, who spends his life in enriching the world with the fruits of his genius, is shown unclothed in the full light of day, so that none may fail to mark and condemn whatever blot can be discovered on him. Turner's biographers have made it a point of conscience to tell the worst of him; to bring out clearly every spot on the face of the sun. It may be right to paint the wart on the nose of a Cromwell, to dissect the moral nature of ruler or statesman who has had to lay down the law for nations ; but the artist — be he poet, painter, or musician — whose works give light and refinement to life, may claim from us a sacred reserve. It should be enough if we reveal those traits of his character which touch his work, and record those incidents in his intercourse with others which show the true nature of the man, and, as far as may be, recall him to life. Many facts and incidents set out in these pages have been gathered from the works of previous biographers — Messrs. Thornbury, Hamerton, and Cosmo Monkhouse. Frequent references to Mr. Ruskin, and quotations from his works, have been almost necessary. No life of Turner could be written without continual allusion to the opinions and language of the great English author, who made the painter and his art a life-long study, and who, beyond all others, understood and appreciated both.