On the Thames

On the Thames

Turner

1804

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a calm river with trees on both sides. The water reflects the sky, which is soft and pale. In the distance, there’s a building with a tall tower and a flagpole in front of it. The brushstrokes are light and airy, almost like a sketch. The colors are muted, with greens and blues blending into the misty air. Next, look up Romanticism to see how this style changed art.

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