Masterpiece Monday:: Turner's Sketchbooks by Ian Warrell

Disclaimer: ** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

Title: Turner's Sketchbooks
Author: Ian Warrell
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Publication Date: April 7, 2015
ISBN: 9781849762953
Number of Pages: 240
How I Got It: from publisher
Format: Hardcover

Publisher Supplied Summary:
One of the most popular painters of all time, J. M. W. Turner (1775–1851) created a remarkable collection of sketchbooks over the course of his career. Thoughtful, revealing, and beautifully rendered, Turner’s sketchbooks offer an unparalleled window into his creative process. In the absence of detailed written accounts of his extensive travels, the notebooks also contain his impressions of the many places he visited across Britain and Europe. In this book, the first full survey of the artist’s sketchbooks, readers are invited to take a privileged look over Turner’s shoulder, witnessing the creation and development of ideas that can be traced through to his major paintings. Beginning with his teenage efforts and culminating in the atmospheric color studies of his last years, Turner’s Sketchbooks is a unique opportunity to explore the mind of a beloved artist.

My Review:

As the first book to survey the full range of J.M.W. Turner's sketchbooks compiled by one of the world's leading experts on Turner, this is the perfect introduction for anyone not familiar with the artist. I had actually never heard of J.M.W. Turner before reading this book but found that I loved the artist's works. The monochromatic color schemes and natural subjects make this the exact type of artwork I would display in my home. As for the text within the book, I am always interested in artist's lives. An artist's daily activities, relationships, and travels affect their production and I especially like the voyeuristic aspect of a journal, or in this case, sketchbook. Each page transports the viewer to the location of the sketch: the sea, Stonehenge, light houses, Venice... Formatted with tons of sketches accompanied by text strips of descriptions and scene backgrounds, this hardback collection is a beautiful addition to a coffee table or any artist's personal book collection. 

A Note About the Author:

Ian Warrell is an independent curator specializing in British art of the 19th century. He was a curator at Tate for more than 25 years and is the leading authority on the life and work of Turner.