Joseph Mallord William Turner, 'Aurora Borealis' c.1826-34
Display caption
At the bottom of this sheet Turner has inscribed the words 'Aurora Borealis', possibly suggesting that this sketch records the natural phenomenon also known as the 'northern lights'. However, Turner has not actually recreated any of the distinctive, often spectacular, effects usually associated with these unusual apparitions. This is, nevertheless, a nocturnal scene. The looming form, seen indistinctly at the centre of the image, is more likely to be a church tower than a lighthouse.
September 1995
Other works of art you may be interested in
Find similar artworks
Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner
(41,861)
Category
On paper, unique
(48,609)
Decade
1820-9
(7,889)
Subject
architecture
(30,435)
townscapes, man-made features
(18,966)
building - non-specific
(2,707)