Mr. Turner in Print




Mr. Turner in Print.

In light of the incredible new big screen portrayal of Joseph Mallord William Turner, we take a look at the eccentric British painter's works in print.

Timothy Spall as J.M.W. Turner in Mike Leigh's 'Mr. Turner'.









Joseph Mallord William Turner was born at 21 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London. The son of William Turner (1745–1829), a barber and wig-maker, and his wife Mary, née Marshall (1739–1804).

At home his father encouraged his artistic talent and showed off his drawings in his shop. In December 1789, after a term’s probation, Turner entered the Royal Academy Schools. Turner’s varied activities indicate wide interests as well as a need to fund his Academy education. The flourishing market for landscape and antiquarian topography, whether watercolours for exhibition and sale or reproduction in prints and books, provided his first real income. 

Here are some examples of Turner's topographical work, both sketches and paintings, reproduced as engravings by various printmakers. Click the titles of the prints for more information.

Winander-Mere, Westmoreland. Watercolour. c.1835
[Winander-mere, Westmorland.]
[Drawn by J.M.W. Turner, R.A. Engraved by J.T. Willmore.][London: Published 1837, for the Proprietor; by Longman & Co. Paternoster Row Printed by McQueen.]
Brightling Observatory. c.1810–16.
Graphite on paper.
Brightling Observatory. Seen form Rosehill Park.
Drawn by I.M.W. Turner, R.A. Engraved by W.B. Cooke.
London. Published March 1. 1819, by John Murray, Albemarle Street, and W.B. Cooke, 13 Judd Place East, New Road.

Dido Building Carthage. 1815.

Carthage.
Painted by J.M.W. Turner. Engraved by T.A. Prior.
London, Published August 1st. 1863.

The Lake, Petworth: Sunset, Fighting Bucks c.1829

[Petworth Park.]
[by John Cousen. After J.M.W. Turner.]
[n.d. c.1859.]

Aldborough, Suffolk c.1826

Alborough, Suffolk.
Painted by J.M.W. Turner, R.A. Engraved by E. Goodall.
London, Published Dec.r 1. 1827, for the Proprietor, by Robert Jennings, Poultry. Printed by McQueen.

Mercury and Herse. c.1813.

 Study for a Classical Subject: Mercury and Herse c.1812–13

[Mercury and Herse.]
J.M.W. Turner pinx. J. Cousen sculp.
London: Published June 23.rd 1842 by Thos. Griffith Esq.re 14, Waterloo Place, for J.M.W. Turner, R.A.

Many prints were made from Turner's watercolours, including the 71 prints in Turner's Liber Studiorum ('The Book of Studies', 1807-1819), modelled on Claude Lorrain's Liber Veritatis. The plates were etched by Turner himself.

Some examples from our collection include:

Isis. Picture in the Possession of the Earl of Egremont. 3 Feet by 4 Feet.
Drawn & Etched by J. M. W. Turner Esq. R..A. P. P. Engraved by W. Say Engraver to H. R. H, the Duke of Gloucester.
London, Pub. Jan 1. 1819 by J. M. W. Turner Queen Anne Str. West.
Bonneville, Savoy.
Drawn & Etched by J.M.W. Turner. Engraved by H. Dawe.
Published Jan 1. 1816, by J.M.W. Turner Queen, Ann Street West.
Basle.
Drawn & Etched by J.M.W. Turner R.A. Engraved by C. Turner.
Published as the Act directs by J.M.W. Turner, Harley Street [n.d., c.1807].

[Chain of Alps from Grenoble to Chamberis.]
Frank Short [pencil signature] Frank Short Sculp After J.M.W. Turner. [Short's monogram in image lower left.]
London, Published Novr. 1st. 1887, by Robt. Dunthorne at The Rembrandt Head, in Vigo Street.
Lauffernbourgh on the Rhine.
Drawn and Etched by J.M.W. Turner Esq. R.A. P.P. Engraved by T. Hodgetts
Published Jan.y 1. 1811, by J.M.W. Turner, Quen Ann Street West.

[The Farm-Yard with the Cock]
Drawn and Etched by J.M.W. Turner Esq. R.A. P.P. Engraved by Cha.s Turner.
London. Published March 29, 1809, by C. Turner, No 50, Warren Street, Fitzroy Square.

Juvenile Tricks
Drawn & Etched by J.M.W. Turner Esq. R.A. Engraved by W. Say Engraver to H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester
Published Jan.y 1 1811, by Mr. Turner, Queen Ann Street West.

Holy Island Cathedral.
Drawn & Etched by J.M.W. Turner Esq. R.A. P.P. Engraved by Cha.s Turner.
London Published Feb.y 20 1808 by C. Turner No. 50 Warren Street, Fitzroy Square.
To view the full collection from this series, please click here.

We also currently have an important catalogue raisonné of the engravings of Turner's 'Liber Studiorum', owned by art dealer Francis Harvey, with his notes of the prices attained by the prints at auction in the late 19th century:
 
Turner's Liber Studiorum, A Description and a Catalogue.
by W.G. Rawlinson.
London: Macmillan and Co., 1878.



http://www.grosvenorprints.com/stock.php?keyword=29105&WADbSearch1=go


For more information on any of the items shown here, please visit www.grosvenorprints.com, or contact us at grosvenorprints@btinternet.com for any enquiries.




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