J.M.W.Turner a Chronology

• 1775 Born on 23 April (St George’s Day) at 21 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London. The son of William Turner, a barber & wig maker.

• 1787 Takes up drawing and painting watercolour for first time, later his father sells then in his shop.

• 1789-90 Goes to study under Thomas Malton. Admitted to Royal Academy School, (RA) exhibits his first watercolour, The Archbishop’s Palace, Lambeth.

• 1790 Tours the West Country

• 1793 The Society of Arts Awards Turner the “Greater Silver Pallet”, meets and works with life time friend Thomas Girtin: goes to South Wales to draw.

• 1794 Turner become famous as a topographical draughtsman, producing original pictures for engravings.

• 1795 Tours southern England and south Wales, and visits Isle of Wight.

• 1796 Exhibits the first oil painting along with 10 watercolours at the RA.

• 1799 Studies Claude Lorrain the artist, which has a great effect on his early style. Elected Associate Member of Royal Academy. Moves into Harley Street with Sarah Danby by her has two daughters.

• 1800 Publishes poetry intended to accompany exhibits at RA.

• 1801 Tours Scotland, returns via Lake District.

• 1802 Elected full member of RA at the young age of 27. Travels to France and Switzerland.

• 1804 Sets up a gallery at his Harley Street home. Death of mother after long illness.

• 1805 First exhibition in his own gallery, London

• 1807 Appointed Professor of Perspective at RA, often uses letters after his Name (P.P.) Publishes part 1 of Liber Studiorum. Buys Building plot at Twickenham.

• 1809 First of many visits to Petworth, the seat of Lord Egremont, one of Turner patron. 

• 1810 Moves to 47 Queen Ann Street West, Summer visit to Farnley Hall

• 1811 First lecture as professor at Royal Academy. Visits Italy.

• 1814 Founder member of Artist General Benevolent Institution, supports this for many years.

• 1815 End of war with France, so able to travel once again in Europe.

• 1815 Paints ‘Dido Building Carthage‘ refuses five thousand guineas ( a huge sum of money then) never sells this painting, finally bequeathed it to the British Nation on his death.

• 1817 Summer tour of Netherlands and Rhine, returns and stays at Rady Castle, then on to friend Walter Fawkes at Farnley.

• 1819 Trip to Italy, the wonderful light here has an amazing effect on Turner’s colours. Does around 25 sketches a day during his 2 month stay, two main paintings from this trip ‘Looking East from the Guidecca, Sunrise’ and ‘San Giorgio Maggiore‘, which must be adjudged as masterpieces.

• 1820 Moves his gallery to Queen Ann Street after working to enlarge and build new gallery.

• 1822 Goes to Edinburgh for the State Visit of George 1V.

• 1823 Commissioned to paint The Battle of Trafalgar for St James’s Palace; this completed by May 1824.

• 1824 The National Gallery was established, and Turner was on the committee to decide where to house it- The National Gallery Trafalgar Square, London being the chosen place.

• 1825 Toured Holland, the Rhine, and Belgium. Death of true friend Walter Fawkes on October 25th.

• 1828 Takes his last class at the RA, ( they were not very successful anyway, sometimes his loyal father  was the total audience).

• 1825 Tour of  Holland, Germany and Belgium. Death of friend Walter Falkes.

• 1829 Death of father. Exhibits England and Wales series of watercolours in London. Visits France.

• 1831 Tour of Scotland. Revises his Will as he’s in poor health during the year.

• 1832 Visits Paris, meets with artist Delacroix.

• 1834 Tours Meuse, Moselle and the Rhine.Spend time with Sophia Booth at Margate.

• 1836 Tours France, Switzerland and Val d’Aosta

• 1837 Death of  patron Lord Egremond. Resigns as Professor of Perspective at the RA

• 1839 Paints “The Fighting Tameraire” age 64.

• 1840 He met the critic and artist John Ruskin, who became the great champion of his work. Visits Venice

• 1841 Visits Switzerland for the first of three visits over the next three years.

• 1844 Meets Charles Dickens. Visits Switzerland, Heidelberg, and the Rhine.

• 1845 Acting President of Royal Academy, Tours  France

• 1846 Rents lodgings at Cheyne Walk, Chelsea and lives rest of his life as a recluse under pseudonym of Admiral Booth.

• 1848 Increasing Infirmity. Revises his Will.

• 1850 Last exhibition at the Royal Academy.

• 1851 December 19, Turner dies in Chelsea home. Buried in St Paul’s Cathedral. Bequeaths 19,000 works to Nation.