Joseph Mallord William Turner - Rain, Steam, and Speed - The Great Western Railway [1844]

Joseph Mallord William Turner - Rain, Steam, and Speed - The Great Western Railway [1844], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

The scene is fairly certainly identifiable as Maidenhead railway bridge, across the Thames between Taplow and Maidenhead. The bridge, which was begun on Brunel's design in 1837 and finished in 1839, has two main arches of brick, very wide and flat. The view is to the east, towards London. The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1844.

Turner is perhaps the best-loved English Romantic artist. He became known as 'the painter of light', because of his increasing interest in brilliant colours as the main constituent in his landscapes and seascapes. His works include water colours, oils and engravings.

[Oil on canvas, 91 x 121.8 cm]