J.M.W. Turner

J.M.W. Turner painted light, weather and atmosphere as nobody had before. Sun dissolves into mist, storms swirl around ships, and in his late work shapes almost vanish into glowing colour. He was a Romantic painter who pointed the way to Impressionism.

He was born in London, the son of a barber, and entered the Royal Academy Schools at fourteen. He was a full Academician by 27. He travelled widely in Britain and Europe, filling hundreds of sketchbooks, and Venice and Italy inspired many of his best works. The Fighting Temeraire, showing an old warship towed to be broken up at sunset, is in the National Gallery in London. He left his studio to the nation, and Tate Britain now holds the Turner Bequest.

Ancient Italy, Ovid Banished from Rome and Ariccia Sunset show his Italian vision. Look for the golden light at the centre.