Description:
For this assignment we will visit the J. M. W. Turner: Painting Set Free exhibition. Information from the Getty website follows:
Extraordinarily inventive and enduringly influential, J. M. W. Turner (1775–1851) produced many of his most important and famous pictures after the age of sixty, in the last fifteen years of his life. Demonstrating ongoing radicalism of technique and ever-original subject matter, these works show Turner constantly challenging his contemporaries while remaining keenly aware of the market for his art.
Bringing together over sixty key oil paintings and watercolors, this major international loan exhibition is the first to focus on the unfettered creativity of Turner’s final years.
We will explore the exhibition, focusing on the unique style of this noted 19th c. artist. As you will learn, his impact was significant both during his time and to artists that followed.
Preparation:
Before our field trip, read the sections on Impressionism and Post-Impressionism n our book in order to gain a better understanding of both movements.
Assignment:
1. At the exhibition, you will write down the titles of several of Turner’s works and take photos if you can. The Getty has not returned my call asking whether or not photography is allowed so just be sure you’ll be able to remember what the work looked like so you can find it on the internet later.
2. After spending a significant amount of time learning about Turner, next go to the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist building and find a work of art in which you observe some influence by Turner. Take a photo if possible and make a note of the artist, title, date and media.
3. You will write a two-page, double spaced paper in which you compare one of Turner’s paintings with a painting from either the Impressionist or Post-Impressionist exhibition at the Getty. Both paintings must be on view at the museum. Describe what each looks like. Describe the influences or similarities you observe between Turner’s work and the artist of the later work. Do you see a clear link?
4. Introduce both paintings by artist, title, date and media in the first paragraph.
5. You will include color images of both selections on separate illustration pages, complete with artist, title, date and media.
6. Your best writing, free from grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors is required.
