Being that one person that often finds himself going to that one museum to see that one painting I naturally found myself at the National Gallery in London to see the magnum opus of Joseph Mallord William Turner. However, also being the museum dweller I am, I first saw the whole gallery.
I was quite surprised by how small the collection is compared to comparable art museums in other capitals. The amount of British art was also quite lacking, and instead a sizable part of the collection was from the Italian and Dutch masters. A painting by Paolo Veronese perfectly portrays a previous entry I wrote on the kingly behavior displayed by Alexander. Among the Dutch masters Rembrandt was years ahead. His usage of lighting is superb, unique. He might had very likely introduced the concept of motion in paintings which to my opinion revolutionized art. One of his very last paintings, a self portrait, was a very welcome sight to my visit at the galley.
Turner’s masterpiece sits towards the end of the museum. I hadn’t realized how massive the painting was. Turner is perhaps one of the most successful and respected British artists without him landscapism wouldn’t have become as relevant as it is.
Why was Dido building Carthage the sole painting I came to see?
Well, it is naturally an exquisite artwork, furthermore it is one that depicts many of the features that peak my artistic interest. A historical, (albeit also mythological) scene; the queen of Carthage and her Trojan lover over the foundations of what would one day become the mighty Carthaginian thalassocracy.
A masterful depiction of scenery, lighting and creativity, grounded in some historicity. Yet this pilgrimage was not to admire the painting, it was to witness the painting that inspired Thomas Cole. On The Course of Empire it can be seen that Turner and particularly Dido building Carthage influenced his work.
With a different style, I’d say Turner’s panting fit in the series right after The Arcadian. The missing link perhaps? To my knowledge never have all 6 paintings been displayed together, but it would surely be a magnificent exhibition.
Cole meet Turner during one of this trips to Europe. It is clear his work, his style, his landscaping and mythological motifs influenced his art. I haven’t been to the national gallery in Washington where The Course of Empire is displayed fully, but after having seen the work of Turner I’m more than ready to better enjoy Cole’s masterpiece series in person.