Exhibit: Painting Set Free!

AGO's J.M.W. Turner Exhibition Review

A few weeks ago, I finally had some free time and enjoyed some much needed art therapy at The AGO and visited the large J.M.W.Turner: Painting Set Free exhibition. The (mostly) solo exhibition explores Turner's mature works of the last 15 years of his long and illustrious career.

Light and Colour (Goethe's Theory)- The Morning after the Deluge - Moses Writing The Book of Genesis, exhibited 1843

Featuring more than 50 painting and works from Tate Britain, I enjoyed my journey through Turner's late experimental years and got to know the artist a little more.

During Turner's life, his earlier works gave him fame and made money. Many were critical of his later works and thought they were "a steep falling away" and may have been indicative of a mental disease. Now years later, when fans and collectors think of Turner, they recall his late works. Painting Set Free is the first major exhibition to focus on the final and most experimental phase of Turner's career. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved how Turner used colour and light to bring his subjects to life. And one of my favourite details about Turner's paintings is... the details. I love that the closer I approached a painting, small details just appeared. Not seeing these details didn't take away from the beauty of the painting, but seem to just add the magic and scope of the piece.

Venice: An Imaginary View of the Arsenale, around 1840

Shade and Darkness - The Evening of The Deluge, exhibited 1843

The Angel Standing in the Sun, exhibited 1846

Painting Set Free is arranged thematically, focusing on different subject Turner chose, like his love for the sea and his travels across Europe. There are also works featured by other artists that were influenced by Turner, as well as sketches and studies done by Turner - thus giving visitors a look into the artists' artistic process for his final masterpieces.

The Blue Rigi, Sunrise, 1842

Regulus, 1828, reworked and exhibited 1837

The Dogana, San Giorgio, Citella, from the steps of Europa, exhibited 1842

J.M.W. Turner: Painting Set Free is completely worth the admission price and Turner fans and non-fans alike will enjoy this exhibit. Painting Set Free runs until January 31, 2016. Please visit AGO for more information.

P.s!: The AGO offers Feature Tours with a Gallery Guide daily at 2pm and Wednesdays at 7pm. These tours are free with admission price and feature a different collection or subject within the AGO. And as always Wednesday nights are free and Painting Set Free is discounted!

P.s,

Melanie!