VERMEER CANA TURNER

Turner uses warm tones on the Thames estuary which is at the river's
eastern end. He portrays a lifeless surface with no ripples in the
water, apart from around the stream boat where he uses a silver
tone. The sun is behind the boats creating shadows to reflect in
front. The background has been mostly devoid of objects to ensure
the Termeraire is the focal point.
“Light is therefore colour.” ‐ J. M. W. Turner
This quote supports the importance of the sun to
Turner. if there is so no light, there would be no
colour to create a real life images.
Turner uses pastel tones for the sky, with rapid brushstrokes.
Although, he used oil paints, he applied paint with a palette knife, a
tool usually reserved for mixing colours. Mixed with the paint he also
used bees wax to lift the painting off the surface. This helped create
a three‐dimensional look and allowed the canvas to catch light. As
the sun sets above the estuary, its rays extend into the clouds above
it, and across the surface of the water which create a warm yellow
tone. The lighting in this piece was achieved through the emphasis of
light and loose brushstrokes. The sun setting symbolises the end of
an era in the history of the British Royal Navy and the
commencement of the new, industrial era.
It is suggested that the ship stands for Turner himself, with an
accomplished past but now anticipating his mortality. Turner called
The Fighting Temeraire his "darling", which may have been due to its
beauty, or his identification with the subject. He intended to raise a
sentimental and sad response from the viewer.