Discover the colors of Turner's masterpieces in Fulda!

Discover the colors of Turner's masterpieces in Fulda!

Today, on March 18, 2025, a lecture by Thomas Kohl will take place in the reading room of the University, State and City Library Fulda. The topic of the lecture is the influential English painter and draftsman Joseph Mallord William Turner. He is considered one of the most important artists in England in romance, the work of which is increasingly seen as a bridge to modern art. Turner is known for his atmospheric painting, which often swings at the border between the landscape and abstraction. In the lecture, the visual nature of his works of art by Kohl is examined in more detail and linked to a historical context in order to better understand the development of Turner's artistic work. Interested parties can register online for free tickets online via the HLSB website because the places are limited. The telephone number 0661/9640 9850 is available for further information.

William Turner was born on April 23, 1775 in London. He came from a modest family; His father was barber. The early childhood was shaped by painful losses because his mother died mentally and died in 1804 in the Bethlem Royal Hospital. These early experiences shaped Turner's character and creative process. In addition to his family situation, he showed artistic talent early on. Turner spent a lot of time with relatives in the country, where he learned to color copper engravings and recorded his surroundings.

influence and artistic development

Turners Education took its course in 1789 with a scholarship at the Royal Academy after his talent was discovered. He had his first exhibitions with topographical watercolors in 1790. Later trips, including Wales and Lake District, enabled him to capture nature in its diversity and dynamics. Turner was fascinated by the representation of light and atmosphere in both landscapes and in sea pieces. These aspects not only influenced his personal career, but also the following generations of artists, especially the impressionists who were strongly inspired by his work.

Turner was an exceptionally productive artist and left an extensive legacy with over 20,000 works. He created over 300 oil paintings and over 30,000 drawings, and many of his works are today in museums and collections in London and beyond. His innovative way of working, which shows itself in "informal" paintings and watercolors, revolutionized contemporary art and paved the way for new art movements, including abstract expressionism. Turner died in Chelsea on December 19, 1851 and was buried in the St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The cultural heritage of Turners

In addition to his artistic practice, Turner was also active in the communication of his ideas and techniques. His work “Liber Studiorum”, which was published between 1807 and 1819, offers insights into his view of composition, light and atmosphere. After becoming a full member of the Royal Academy in 1802, he accompanied the development of the art scene in England full of passion and commitment.

Turner's influence is not limited to his own contemporaries. He is seen as a key figure for the transition to modern painting. Even today, long after his death, the art of Turner achieves high prices on the market. Interestingly, it is also shown on the 20-pound grade of the Bank of England, which was circulated in 2020, which underlines its persistent importance in British culture and history.