Turner, Joseph Mallord William (1775-1851), English landscape painter, renowned for his vibrant and dramatic treatment of natural light and atmospheric effects in land and marine subjects, and whose work had a direct influence on the development of impressionism. Turner was born in London and studied at the Royal Academy of Arts. At the age of 15 he exhibited his first watercolor at the academy. He would continue to show his work there until 1850. He was elected …showed first 75 words of 300 total…

…showed last 75 words of 300 total…collection Liber Studiorum (1806-1819). The paintings of his second period (1820-1835) are characterized by more brilliant coloring and by diffusion of light. In two of Turner's best works, The Bay of Baiae-with Apollo and the Sibyl. his use of light lends radiance to the colors and softens architectural and topographical forms and shadows. During this period Turner also executed a number of illustrations for books on topography and a collection of watercolors depicting Venetian scenes.