Simon Schama's Power of Art (2006)

Episode Overview

Turner, one of the most revered artists in Britain, displayed remarkable skill from a young age, joining the Royal Academy at just fourteen. While his English landscapes earned him acclaim, there was a more unsettling aspect to his work that critics struggled to accept, particularly his unconventional painting style and themes that challenged the idealized portrayal of Britain in the late 1800s. He left behind a legacy of 300 paintings and 20,000 watercolors and sketches to the nation. Leading a private life, Turner never married but had a long-term mistress and fathered two children. He passed away in a temporary Chelsea lodging, using the name Booth.