The Power of Art - Turner (complete episode)

In May 1840, the Royal Academy's annual exhibition showcases Edwin Lonia's 'Laying Down the Law,' praised for its perfection. However, JMW Turner's 'Slave Ship' faces harsh criticism, compared to a kitchen accident or spit contents. Turner's bold depiction of the horrific reality of the slave trade, meant to evoke empathy, instead incites disdain. This controversy reflects the divide between traditional British aesthetics and Turner's radical approach to art, highlighting his reputation as a national favorite yet misunderstood visionary.

Around 40 years prior, as a promising young painter in his 20s, Turner was celebrated for his enchanting landscapes, earning him a Royal Academy Fellowship at 26. His work 'Dolbadarn Castle' foreshadowed his break from pleasing art, revealing a deeper, more atmospheric British identity. Turner's ambition and passion for epic narratives began to brew, but he balanced this with a career pleasing the leisure-seeking public. However, darker, grand themes were awakening in his fertile imagination.

Turner, enjoying his success and living with his father, avoids traditional family ties. He forms a secretive relationship with Sarah Dani, having children with her. Turner's private life was as complex as his art, showing an England of lyrical serenity while aware of the nation's stark social realities. The class divide and unrest inspired his desire to portray not just idyllic visions but also to capture the tumultuous England of his time, during a period of great social upheaval.

Turner's friendship with radical Walter Forks sparks his interest in political and social themes, impacting his art. He paints scenes reflecting the harshness of life, driven by the era's struggles including the abolition of slavery. 'Hannibal Crossing the Alps' becomes a commentary on Napoleon's ambition, portraying cosmic reckoning rather than mere history. Turner's work resonates as both its historical narrative and its symbolism of contemporary socio-political events, showcasing his deepening thematic focus.

Despite his disdain for Napoleon, Turner does not glorify British victories like Waterloo. Instead, he highlights the tragic aftermath of battles, emphasizing the human cost and suffering over triumph. This approach troubles patrons but reflects Turner's empathy for the powerless, shaped by personal experiences such as his mother's tragic decline into madness. His art reveals a deep sense of human vulnerability, framing his historical epics not as political manifestos, but as universal tragedies.

Turner's figures often reflect vulnerability against overpowering fate, contrasting his academic success with a reputation for rebelliousness. Critics disapprove of his chaotic style as coarse and unrefined, reflecting his working-class roots and disdain for polished convention. Turner embodies artistic engagement with raw creativity, embracing unconventional techniques and materials, which upset the conservative art world.

Turner's time in Venice allows him to explore 'indistinctness,' embracing its watery, dreamlike qualities to free his artistic expression. Yet, Venice's decaying beauty evokes themes of mortality. Facing personal losses and health issues, Turner uses art to grapple with existential themes, depicting cycles of life and death with vivid power. His work during this period, including depictions of apocalyptic visions, reflects a deep personal and artistic exploration of the human condition.

Turner channels his personal tribulations and societal discord into paintings, exemplified by his depiction of the historical and contemporary drama of England. He artistically navigates themes of power, industrial change, and national identity within the context of maritime history. His work oscillates between comforting nostalgia and dynamic change, mirroring Britain's transformation during the Industrial Revolution.

Turner's painting of the shipwreck 'Amphitrite' further illustrates victimhood, rooted in historical tragedy, revealing a profound empathy for human suffering. However, many of his works, brimming with thematic complexity, were left unfinished or unseen. These pieces depict Turner’s evolving critique on cruelty, exploitation, and destitution, continuing to symbolically engage with the turmoil of his era.

Among British society's growing anti-slavery sentiment, Turner's 'Slave Ship' emerges as a powerful visual protest reflecting his long-standing engagement with abolition. The painting serves both as a haunting critique of historical injustices and as a dramatic expression of his mature artistic style, embodying his ability to convey complex narratives through visual chaos and color dynamics, despite critical backlash.