I had the pleasure of viewing The Fighting Temeraire in person along with many other paintings be Turner, I wish that I understood the concept of the sublime at the time as I had been searching for a word to describe his works and the emotions that they made me feel, thank you.
I think another thing that's interesting is the sun in the background, when I was looking at the painting first, I kind of interpreted it as the sun setting on an age for the UK, but now that I think about it, it could just as easily be a sunrise, heralding in a new age for Britain. It could be either pessimistic, or optimistic, depending on how you look at it. Also this was a really great video, it gave me a whole new perspective on one of my favourite paintings ever. Thank you!
Oh thank you so much Sean!! You're absolutely right about how the sun, like many other elements of the painting, can have contradictory interpretations! Thank you!!
Turner deliberately switches the orientation of the boat yards so the Sun can be seen setting. He is most likely drawing attention to the sad or nostalgic end of sail being superceded by steam. He is probably not being optimistic.
@@marksimpson2321 Aww, well I'd say it's left open enough for what I said to still be a fair interpretation, even if it might not be what Turner intended
There are many interesting ways to raise the important question as to what's really going on in the world, but I'd never imagined, before, using a painting, such as The Fighting Temeraire. Executing the painting, grippingly for so many viewers, is art; feeling the need to raise, and then articulate the question in this fashion, is something else. Well done and thank you both for making this clear. Is this something we can try ourselves...someday...perhaps?
I adore the skies in his paintings. Just look at 1:34, 3:02, or the one in the Temeraire painting-mesmerizing. I also find the painting at 4:02 to be quite intriguing; the initial blurriness is almost juxtaposed with the intricate details like the farmer and the people on the boat, which makes for an interesting and rewarding viewing experience.
Well done. I think that Turner was also talking about himself. He was 64 when he painted this. Perhaps he was saying that he felt he was the like The Fighting Temeraire, old and almost ready for the breaker's yard. I think the dark gash across the sun, almost like a wound, expresses his feelings about the Temeraire's demise. Turner had been a young man when the Battle of Trafalgar occurred.
I stumbled upon this channel from another art analysis channel & first watched the Stanczyk aka sad clown painting vid & was thoroughly impressed. Now 10+ videos in & I just realized I haven’t subscribed; I’m fixing that now. Fantastic analysis & presentation, I’m sure this channel is on the cusp of gaining a significant amount more of well-deserved subscribers. Great work.
It's also important to know that Turner painted a painting of the Battle of Trafalgar (1822) that was criticised at the time for it's style and he was possibly determined to paint something more authentic that would serve as a better tribute to the battle and one of 2 of the greatest British ships (HMS Victory being the flag ship).
Smart way of looking at it, it definitely doesn’t seem like the artist is trying to tell you something, but rather the artist captured changing times in a piece of art, almost to show people this is what happens because we as humans seem to let the past fly by us with new innovation. Turner’s piece almost serves as a reminder to this is what happens when newer technology comes along. And on a side note, it it just me or does his technique on his more realistic paintings look similar to Repin?
Very enjoyable video. Saw some Turner when I visited Holland, and didn't get as much out of it as I did from this video. I really like your tone of voice as well. Anyone else read the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik?
The sun is rising on a new dawn as the old mythology (heroic Temeraire with masts and still resembling a ship, not a hulk) is towed by the new era steam tug. There's no wind and water is slack so the sailing ship could not moved itself. It is being led to the breaker, like an old warhorse or bull to the knackers yard. Also the end of older heroic myths from Greece and Rome
When I did O-level Art, around 1980, for homework on the 'History of Art' element, I was asked to write about this painting. Obviously, nowhere as detailed, involved, or as insightful as this excellent lecture, but I did highlight that the starboard side of the Temeraire (to the left as you look at it here), looks like a (soulless/mournful) skull looking out, perhaps suggesting its imminent fate and/or that it was already dead? And yet, I've never seen *anybody* else ever pick up or suggest this. So, was it really a case of a teenager's over-active imagination or am I really the first to 'spot something' about this painting?! :o(
I love these videos man, you have the ability to make me appreciate art that I've never really appreciated before. But I have to say, your pronunciations of some British words are so funny in comparison to how well you pronounce French, Spanish, German, Italian words hahah
0:48 I'm confused: if he joined in 1789 at the age of 14 and his self-portrait was made at age 10 it should have been made in 1785, but the caption says 1790. (Also, the previous image says 1799, so I assume the other self-portrait was made at age 24?)
Two things; we are looking east (down river) - a sunrise, not a sunset. The moon is new, also suggesting a beginning, not an end. BTW, she was an English ship, built at Chatham, so an ordinary English way of saying her name would be far more appropriate.
Here's an idea: Chop the paintings up and keep the parts in constant movement and keep the focus in marginal clarity. Insult the art and artist at the same time.
That is what you did in presenting the paintings...the entirety of composition is never shown. And painting is a STATIC art form...animating it defeats its foundation, the eye's journey through the composition.@@sunnyseacat6857
Such an underrated channel. Just amazing work
Thank you so much Alex!! I'm super happy you enjoy my content :)
Turners paintings made me interested into art, and are my most favourite today.
I had the pleasure of viewing The Fighting Temeraire in person along with many other paintings be Turner, I wish that I understood the concept of the sublime at the time as I had been searching for a word to describe his works and the emotions that they made me feel, thank you.
it's really rare to find such as ur content so i like ur vids
Wow what a nice comment! Thank you!!
Beautifully presented, perfectly spoken and paced and i will watch this endlessly!!! Thank you!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤
love this channel. such a gem & such a comfort.
Thank you so much! It's always super encouraging to read these types of comments! Very appreciated!
It's a wonderfully bittersweet painting, done at golden hour for a maximum dose of all the feels
I think another thing that's interesting is the sun in the background, when I was looking at the painting first, I kind of interpreted it as the sun setting on an age for the UK, but now that I think about it, it could just as easily be a sunrise, heralding in a new age for Britain. It could be either pessimistic, or optimistic, depending on how you look at it.
Also this was a really great video, it gave me a whole new perspective on one of my favourite paintings ever. Thank you!
Oh thank you so much Sean!! You're absolutely right about how the sun, like many other elements of the painting, can have contradictory interpretations! Thank you!!
Turner deliberately switches the orientation of the boat yards so the Sun can be seen setting. He is most likely drawing attention to the sad or nostalgic end of sail being superceded by steam. He is probably not being optimistic.
@@marksimpson2321 Aww, well I'd say it's left open enough for what I said to still be a fair interpretation, even if it might not be what Turner intended
If you know the river, it's dawn. Seen that view many times.
@@cuebj Oh that's interesting! How can you tell? Something about how the light reflects on the water?
This is my favourite painting too. I've been lucky enough to visit it many times.
There are many interesting ways to raise the important question as to what's really going on in the world, but I'd never imagined, before, using a painting, such as The Fighting Temeraire. Executing the painting, grippingly for so many viewers, is art; feeling the need to raise, and then articulate the question in this fashion, is something else. Well done and thank you both for making this clear. Is this something we can try ourselves...someday...perhaps?
I adore the skies in his paintings. Just look at 1:34, 3:02, or the one in the Temeraire painting-mesmerizing. I also find the painting at 4:02 to be quite intriguing; the initial blurriness is almost juxtaposed with the intricate details like the farmer and the people on the boat, which makes for an interesting and rewarding viewing experience.
Impressionism started with JMW Turner.
Well done. I think that Turner was also talking about himself. He was 64 when he painted this. Perhaps he was saying that he felt he was the like The Fighting Temeraire, old and almost ready for the breaker's yard. I think the dark gash across the sun, almost like a wound, expresses his feelings about the Temeraire's demise. Turner had been a young man when the Battle of Trafalgar occurred.
Loved this breakdown.
Happy to hear that! Thank you!!
I stumbled upon this channel from another art analysis channel & first watched the Stanczyk aka sad clown painting vid & was thoroughly impressed. Now 10+ videos in & I just realized I haven’t subscribed; I’m fixing that now. Fantastic analysis & presentation, I’m sure this channel is on the cusp of gaining a significant amount more of well-deserved subscribers. Great work.
It's also important to know that Turner painted a painting of the Battle of Trafalgar (1822) that was criticised at the time for it's style and he was possibly determined to paint something more authentic that would serve as a better tribute to the battle and one of 2 of the greatest British ships (HMS Victory being the flag ship).
Well done.
Smart way of looking at it, it definitely doesn’t seem like the artist is trying to tell you something, but rather the artist captured changing times in a piece of art, almost to show people this is what happens because we as humans seem to let the past fly by us with new innovation. Turner’s piece almost serves as a reminder to this is what happens when newer technology comes along. And on a side note, it it just me or does his technique on his more realistic paintings look similar to Repin?
Keep it up👍👍
Thank you!!
Very enjoyable video. Saw some Turner when I visited Holland, and didn't get as much out of it as I did from this video. I really like your tone of voice as well. Anyone else read the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik?
If anyone likes this painting, make sure you check the National Gallery's video on The Fighting Temeraire.
Well, he did call the painting "My old darling."
The sun is rising on a new dawn as the old mythology (heroic Temeraire with masts and still resembling a ship, not a hulk) is towed by the new era steam tug. There's no wind and water is slack so the sailing ship could not moved itself. It is being led to the breaker, like an old warhorse or bull to the knackers yard. Also the end of older heroic myths from Greece and Rome
When I did O-level Art, around 1980, for homework on the 'History of Art' element, I was asked to write about this painting. Obviously, nowhere as detailed, involved, or as insightful as this excellent lecture, but I did highlight that the starboard side of the Temeraire (to the left as you look at it here), looks like a (soulless/mournful) skull looking out, perhaps suggesting its imminent fate and/or that it was already dead? And yet, I've never seen *anybody* else ever pick up or suggest this. So, was it really a case of a teenager's over-active imagination or am I really the first to 'spot something' about this painting?! :o(
I love these videos man, you have the ability to make me appreciate art that I've never really appreciated before. But I have to say, your pronunciations of some British words are so funny in comparison to how well you pronounce French, Spanish, German, Italian words hahah
0:48 I'm confused: if he joined in 1789 at the age of 14 and his self-portrait was made at age 10 it should have been made in 1785, but the caption says 1790. (Also, the previous image says 1799, so I assume the other self-portrait was made at age 24?)
I believe there were actually 2 tugboats as well.
Yes! You're absolutely right! I don't know if the painting would have had the same impact if the two tugboats were depicted.
Two things; we are looking east (down river) - a sunrise, not a sunset. The moon is new, also suggesting a beginning, not an end.
BTW, she was an English ship, built at Chatham, so an ordinary English way of saying her name would be far more appropriate.
The sun is in fact rising.
You're a sharp cookie. 🫡
Here's an idea: Chop the paintings up and keep the parts in constant movement and keep the focus in marginal clarity. Insult the art and artist at the same time.
What?
That is what you did in presenting the paintings...the entirety of composition is never shown. And painting is a STATIC art form...animating it defeats its foundation, the eye's journey through the composition.@@sunnyseacat6857
@@michael4250 Such bollocks!!
@@MickeyBlueEyes2 I agree. Stupid way to share art.