When he became a member of the Royal Academy Schools, Turner was 14 years old and was already known to the public because of his father. William Gayone Turner, barber and wig-maker, was so proud of his son that he would sell his works of art at his shop in Covent Garden. For his first presentation at the Summer Exhibition in 1790, the painter had chosen his first oil on canvas, a turbulent seascape. Fishermen at Sea fascinated for the dramatic light of the moon and the great virtuosity which gave the admirable illusion of the boats floating, suspended by the thrashing waves. In the future, the Master who elevated landscape painting to such a level as to have it compete with historic paintings in terms of value, went on to exhibit his works at the Royal Academy of Art for his entire life, in contention with Constable for the top spot of landscape painters. Turner often took advantage of the inaugural day of his exhibitions to add final touches to his paintings, an opportunity for an enthusiastic public to watch him transform his pieces before their very eyes.
The Eileen Agar Revolution at the Whitechapel Gallery
The revolutionary career of the surrealist artist, from the ‘20s to the ‘90s, through over 150 works on loan from important public and private collections.
Just Like at the Theatre - Lubaina Himid at the Tate Modern
A selection of exuberant paintings narrate the art and social commitment of the Turner-Prize-winning artist. There are plenty of surprises, from the theatrical setting to brand new works.
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