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Print made by Joseph Mallord William Turner, 1775–1851, British, Study of Sea and Sky, 1820 to 1826
- Title:
- Study of Sea and Sky
- Part Of:
Collective Title: Little Liber, or Sequels to the Liber Studiorum
- Date:
- 1820 to 1826
- Materials & Techniques:
- Mezzotint; engraver's proof (a) on medium, slightly textured, cream laid paper
- Dimensions:
- Sheet: 8 3/8 × 11 1/8 inches (21.3 × 28.3 cm), Plate: 7 1/2 × 10 inches (19.1 × 25.4 cm), Image: 6 × 8 3/8 inches (15.2 × 21.3 cm)
- Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Inscribed on verso in graphite, lower right: "JMW TUrner: Study of Sea & Sky
Collector’s mark: Charles Stokes (Lugt 2758); collector’s mark: Mary Constance Clarke (Lugt 449); collector's mark: W.G. Rawlinson (Lugt 2624)
- Credit Line:
- Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
- Copyright Status:
- Public Domain
- Accession Number:
- B1977.14.8357
- Classification:
- Prints
- Collection:
- Prints and Drawings
- Access:
- Accessible in the Study Room [Request]
- Link:
- https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:31121
- Export:
- XML
- IIIF Manifest:
- JSON
After he abandoned his work on the Liber Studiorum in 1819, Turner began a series of mezzotints devoted to atmospheric effects. Engraved by Turner himself, these prints were based on loose and simplified watercolor studies. Turner transformed these brief sketches into finished works as he transferred them to copper or steel printing plates. In the mezzotint technique, the plate is initially roughened so that it holds ink across its surface and prints a uniform deep black. The roughness is then smoothed out or “scraped” to introduce lighter areas into the image. Because this process results in diffuse forms, it is usual to reinforce the mezzotint plate with etched outlines. Turner, however, selected subjects suited to a purely tonal treatment — clouds, waves, moonlight, storms, sunsets, and sunrises — enabling him to minimize the use of line. Taking full advantage of mezzotint’s ability to render every degree of light and shade, from velvety darks to pure white highlights, he created some of the most expressive prints ever made. Gallery label for J. M. W. Turner: Romance and Reality (Yale Center for British Art, March - 29, 2025 - July 27, 2025)
Translations - Turner and Printmaking (Yale Center for British Art, 1993-09-29 - 1993-12-05) [YCBA Objects in the Exhibition]
Eric M. Lee, Translations : Turner and printmaking, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, 1993, p. 28, no. 92, NJ18 .T85 L44 1993 (YCBA) [YCBA]
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