The Fighting Temeraire

The Fighting Temeraire

 

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This is a replica painting of the famous painting by Joseph Mallord William Turner in 1839.

 

The painting was thought to represent the decline of Britain's naval power. The 'Temeraire' is shown travelling east, away from the sunset, even though Rotherhithe is west of Sheerness, but Turner's main concern was to evoke a sense of loss, rather than to give an exact recording of the event. The spectacularly colourful setting of the sun draws a parallel with the passing of the old warship. By contrast the new steam-powered tug is smaller and more prosaic. (http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/joseph-mallord-william-turner-the-fighting-temeraire)

 

When I started painting this canvas in 2012, I was interested in Turner’s technique in painting such a dramatic sky and sea, and the way that they are portrayed compliment each other in such a unique manner that brings a blank canvas to life. Paint was laid thickly to render the suns rays against the clouds.

The canvas was then left unfinished for three years until summer 2015, where out of the blue, I decided to complete the meticulously painted battle ships.

 

 

 

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