The sea was the subject that, more than any other, preoccupied Turner throughout his career. He recorded all its various moods, whether tranquil or stormy.

Crucially, Turner's interest in the sea was often a means
of focusing on issues of nationalism at a time when the English Channel represented the only barrier against the military ambitions of France. Turner's images also contain incidents which reveal much about those who earned their living from fishing or smuggling. Turner also
chose to show new technical advances such as steamboats, which make
their first appearances in
his paintings.

Yet, in spite of the crucial importance of the sea to Turner's work, there has, surprisingly, been no thorough survey of Turner's studies of the sea. This is probably due to the emphasis which has been placed on his work as a landscape painter.

Turner: Reflections of Sea and Light has been organised by Tate International Programmes and selected by Ian Warrell. It will be shown in three different venues. The selection of works varies slightly between each showing and this is indicated alongside each work. The material for this online project has been compiled by Tate and The Baltimore Museum of Art.

The Baltimore Museum of Art, Maryland, USA:
17 February - 26 May 2002

Fundación Juan March, Madrid, Spain:
20 September 2002 - 19 January 2003

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisbon, Portugal:
20 February - 18 May 2003