Joseph Mallord William Turner

The Sea, ?with the Moon behind Clouds

c.1823–6

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

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Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Studies for Possible ‘Little Liber’ Compositions
Medium
Watercolour on paper
Dimensions
Support: 242 x 296 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D17194
Turner Bequest CXCVII D

Display caption

Storms often feature as a dramatic and sublime component of Turner’s paintings. In these three watercolours, gathering storm clouds above a menacing sea provide the artist with the opportunity to experiment with contrasting areas of dark and light.

Turner has combined fluid washes with energetic brushstrokes to create a sense of perpetual movement and change in the weather. Each composition preserves a unity between the sky and the water, the energy or stillness of the waves mirroring or balancing the dynamic masses of the clouds.

Gallery label, July 2008

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Catalogue entry

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Left Right
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Sunset behind Clouds over the Sea’ c.1823–6

Joseph Mallord William Turner Sunset behind Clouds over the Sea

c.1823–6
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Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘The Moon Behind Clouds: ?Study for ‘Shields Lighthouse’’ c.1823–6

Joseph Mallord William Turner The Moon Behind Clouds: ?Study for ‘Shields Lighthouse’

c.1823–6
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Clouds ?over the Sea at Sunset’ c.1823–6

Joseph Mallord William Turner Clouds ?over the Sea at Sunset

c.1823–6
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Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘A Sailing Boat at Sea with Blustery Clouds’ c.1823–6

Joseph Mallord William Turner A Sailing Boat at Sea with Blustery Clouds

c.1823–6
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Storm Clouds’ c.1830–45

Joseph Mallord William Turner Storm Clouds

c.1830–45
View by appointment
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Study of Clouds’ c.1822–3

Joseph Mallord William Turner Study of Clouds

c.1822–3
View by appointment
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘A Sailing Boat or Boats at Sea with Blustery Clouds’ c.1823–6

Joseph Mallord William Turner A Sailing Boat or Boats at Sea with Blustery Clouds

c.1823–6
View by appointment
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Sunset through Dark Clouds ?over the Sea’ c.1823–6

Joseph Mallord William Turner Sunset through Dark Clouds ?over the Sea

c.1823–6
View by appointment
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘A Calm Sea, with the Moon Appearing among Clouds’ c.1801–2

Joseph Mallord William Turner A Calm Sea, with the Moon Appearing among Clouds

c.1801–2
View by appointment
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Clouds and Rain over Water’ c.1820–40

Joseph Mallord William Turner Clouds and Rain over Water

c.1820–40
View by appointment
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Calm Sea with Distant Grey Clouds’ ?c.1840–5

Joseph Mallord William Turner Calm Sea with Distant Grey Clouds

?c.1840–5
View by appointment
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Low Sun and Clouds over a Calm Sea’ c.1835

Joseph Mallord William Turner Low Sun and Clouds over a Calm Sea

c.1835
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘A Study of Clouds’ c.1819

Joseph Mallord William Turner A Study of Clouds

c.1819
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Study of Clouds’ c.1823–4

Joseph Mallord William Turner Study of Clouds

c.1823–4
View by appointment
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Sun and Clouds over Sea’ c.1830s

Joseph Mallord William Turner Sun and Clouds over Sea

c.1830s

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