J. M. W. Turner
Early Life, Family and Training In a house on Maiden Lane, within the busy Covent Garden district of London, Joseph Mallord William Turner entered the world. His beginnings were rooted in the practical trades of the city; his father, William Turner, worked as a barber and wigmaker. This domestic setting was also a place of commerce, as William served as an art dealer, providing a young boy with an early, unforced proximity to the worl…
The Lifeline
Scroll through J. M. W. Turner's working life — artwork by artwork, chapter by chapter — from the earliest dated work to the last. Each thumbnail is pinned at its exact year on the gold axis.
Chapters — Career Periods
The ribbon is divided into shaded bands, one per career chapter. Each chapter groups J. M. W. Turner's works by their historical period — early training, mature practice, final years.
Thumbnails — Dated Works
Every thumbnail is pinned at its precise creation year. A thin gold thread drops from the image to its exact point on the axis. Larger frames mark the artist's masterpieces by rank.
Colour Band — Movement Drift
The gradient bar beneath the axis shifts colour as the dominant art movement changes over time — from the warm golds of the early period through the deeper tones of maturity. It fills progressively as you scroll.