Turner’s Light Mastery now captivates audiences as the largest exhibition dedicated to William Turner arrives in Taipei. The show, titled Echoes of the Sublime, opened at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and will run until October 12. Curated by Tate, this exhibition marks its third global stop, following Monaco and Shanghai.
The display features 80 original works; therefore, it offers visitors a close look at Turner’s revolutionary style. Turner’s Light Mastery transformed 19th-century art and inspired generations to follow. Moreover, Turner is known as one of Britain’s greatest painters, and his influence remains visible today, even on the £20 banknote.
Born in London’s Covent Garden, Turner developed a deep fascination with light and nature. Consequently, he spent hours sketching coastal waves and boldly experimented with color and technique. To capture nature’s raw energy, he famously tied himself to a ship during a storm. As a result, Turner developed a unique way to portray light’s subtle changes.
Despite early criticism, Turner never gave up. Instead, his art challenged traditional styles and influenced later movements like Impressionism, particularly Claude Monet. Furthermore, the exhibition explores “the sublime,” a concept Turner mastered by portraying overwhelming natural forces.
Visitors can follow Turner’s artistic journey through seven sections. These range from delicate early landscapes to dramatic Alpine scenes and poetic views of Venice. Unlike his peers, Turner focused on atmosphere and light rather than precise details. In particular, his Venetian paintings, at times bright and other times melancholic, express the city’s spirit.
One highlight is The Blue Rigi, Sunrise, a celebrated watercolor often called the world’s most famous. After the Taipei exhibition, it will return to Britain for conservation. Importantly, this artwork’s preservation was made possible by a public fundraising effort surpassing NT$200 million.
Moreover, the show includes 20 contemporary pieces inspired by Turner’s legacy. For instance, Katie Paterson’s Totalityuses thousands of solar eclipse photos to create a rotating cosmic installation. Similarly, Richard Long presents mountain stones as art, echoing Turner’s outdoor sketches. Additionally, Olafur Eliasson’s work with ice and pigment showcases nature’s unpredictability. Even Mark Rothko’s minimalist paintings connect to Turner’s late focus on light and space.
Ruth Bradley-Jones from the British Office in Taipei recalled how Turner’s seascapes moved her as a child. She pointed proudly to the current £20 note featuring Turner alongside King Charles III, highlighting the artist’s lasting impact. In conclusion, Turner’s Light Mastery continues to inspire. Consequently, it invites viewers to experience the power of light in art.
