J M W TURNER | Waves breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate

J M W TURNER
Great Britain 1775 – 1851

Waves breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate [Study for 'Rockets and blue lights'] c.1840 oil on canvas
59.7 (h) x 95.2 (w) cm Tate Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856 Photo: © Tate 2013

In his later years Turner spent much of his time at Margate with his companion Mrs Booth. There he studied the coast at different times of day and in various weather conditions, producing dozens of oils and watercolours in which the sea itself is the main subject. This view is across the sands to the harbour wall and lighthouse. The rough waves crashing against the shore create white plumes of spray, depicted with thick impasto paint. On the right the sky is grey but above the town it is golden and bright.

In his later years Turner spent much of his time at Margate with his companion Mrs Booth. There he studied the coast at different times of day and in various weather conditions, producing dozens of oils and watercolours in which the sea itself is the main subject. This view is across the sands to the harbour wall and lighthouse. The rough waves crashing against the shore create white plumes of spray, depicted with thick impasto paint. On the right the sky is grey but above the town it is golden and bright.

In his later years Turner spent much of his time at Margate with his companion Mrs Booth. There he studied the coast at different times of day and in various weather conditions, producing dozens of oils and watercolours in which the sea itself is the main subject. This view is across the sands to the harbour wall and lighthouse. The rough waves crashing against the shore create white plumes of spray, depicted with thick impasto paint. On the right the sky is grey but above the town it is golden and bright.