BARRY VENNING

In this absorbing analysis of Turners life and art, Barry Venning argues that it is necessary to look at Turners work in its original contexts in order to understand the painters creative decisions. His early career was dominated by the Napoleonic Wars, and on his extensive travels he witnessed far-reaching transformations in social, economic and political life. Industrialization, agrarian change and constitutional reform are all represented in his work, but he also made a lifelong study of natural forms and phenomena, all of which gave rise to paintings that are as rich in meanings as they are in visual effects. Barry Venning covers all aspects of the artists career and concludes with a fresh look at Turners artistic legacy.