
In Tate Britain
Prints and Drawings Room
View by appointment- Artist
- Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
- Medium
- Watercolour, bodycolour and chalk on paper
- Dimensions
- Support: 228 × 300 mm
- Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
- Reference
- D32229
Turner Bequest CCCXVIII 10
Display caption
During the mid-1830s and the early 1840s Turner became increasingly interested
in exploring dramatic effects of light and shade. Turner’s combination of dark-toned watercolour, bodycolour and chalk in this work is perfectly suited to the subject of fireworks at night. He uses only a few colours: blue, red and touches of dark brown and, most dramatically, white for the sparks of the fireworks.
Turner’s Venetian works on brown paper have recently been re-dated to 1840, although this continues to be controversial amongst scholars and the works may date from 1833.
Gallery label, September 2004
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Joseph Mallord William Turner Figures in the Piazzetta, Venice, at Night, with the Basilica and Campanile of San Marco (St Mark’s)
1840 -
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Campanile of San Marco (St Mark’s), Venice, from the Hotel Europa (Palazzo Giustinian) by Moonlight
1840 -
Joseph Mallord William Turner Venice Rooftops from the Hotel Europa (Palazzo Giustinian), Looking towards the Giardini Reali and the Campanile of San Marco (St Mark’s)
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Joseph Mallord William Turner The Campanili of Santo Stefano, San Moisè and San Marco (St Mark’s), Venice, from the Hotel Europa (Palazzo Giustinian)
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Joseph Mallord William Turner Lightning near the Campanile of San Marco (St Mark’s), Venice, from the Hotel Europa (Palazzo Giustinian) at Night
1840 -
Joseph Mallord William Turner Women on a Venice Rooftop beside the Hotel Europa (Palazzo Giustinian), with the Campanile of San Marco (St Mark’s) Beyond
1840 -
Joseph Mallord William Turner Rooftops from the Hotel Europa (Palazzo Giustinian), Venice, with the Campanile of San Marco (St Mark’s) and San Giorgio Maggiore Beyond
1840 -
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Porch of the Dogana from the Canale della Giudecca, Venice, at Evening, with the Campanile of San Marco (St Mark’s) Beyond
1840 -
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Dogana and Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Lit by a Rocket, across the Grand Canal from the Hotel Europa (Palazzo Giustinian) at Night
1840 -
Joseph Mallord William Turner The Molo and Riva degli Schiavoni Waterfront with the Campanile of San Marco (St Mark’s), Venice, around Sunset, from the Bacino
1840