Turner & Italy

Description

J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) conducted a love affair with Italy throughout his professional life. He travelled to Italy seven times and was enchanted by its climate, landscapes, architecture, customs and art. "Turner and Italy" sets out to explore this complex and enduring relationship. Turner scholar, James Hamilton, gives an extensive account of the artist's visits to Italy: from the early visual excitement of Rome and Venice captured in his sketchbooks, to the enduring influence of Italy in his painted masterpieces. In addition there are essays by Christopher Baker (National Gallery of Scotland), Nicola Moorby (Tate Britain), and Jacqueline Ridge (National Gallery of Scotland), which consider aspects of his patronage and painting techniques. The book complements a major international touring exhibition organised by the National Gallery of Scotland.

James Hamilton is University Curator and Honorary Reader at the University of Birmingham. He is the author of the biographies Turner - A Life (1997), and Faraday - The Life (2002). His book setting Turner and Faraday into the wider context of nineteenth century London, London Lights: The Minds that Moved the City the Shook the World 1805-51, was published in 2007 by John Murray. He has been guest curator for a number of Turner exhibitions, notably Turner and the Scientists (Tate Gallery 1998), Turner: The Late Sea Paintings (Williamstown, Manchester and Glasgow, 2003/04) and Turner's Britain (Birmingham, 2003/04).