JMW Turner

If you’re already well acquainted with the work of Joseph Mallord William Turner, then this compact documentary won’t tell you anything you didn’t already know (especially if you watched last week’s BBC2 doc about the same man). However, it nicely illustrates the landscape artist’s rise from a teenager painting buildings for local architects, to an accomplished Royal Academician by the young age of 26.

It’s fascinating to see a timeline of Turner’s pieces up close – from watercolours to gouache and oil paints, to lighter tones and brush strokes. Especially when compared to the rough sketches he made while exploring – refusing to put paint to paper until he was in his studio.

Also curious are the stories about the influences behind some of Turner’s works: he was tied to a mast for four hours before creating one of his most renowned pieces, ‘Snow Storm – Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth’. There’s nothing here you can’t find online or elsewhere. But there’s satisfaction in that someone else has done the hard work for you, whether you’re just being introduced, or revisiting an artist you know and love.