Portret van kunstenaar Joseph Mallord William Turner 1823 - 1852

This is a portrait of the artist Joseph Mallord William Turner by Louis Haghe, made in the 19th century using lithography. At this time, art institutions like the Royal Academy played a central role in defining artistic success. Turner was a prominent, if sometimes controversial, member of the Academy. Here, Haghe depicts Turner in a moment of contemplation, reviewing what appears to be one of his own works. This image, printed and distributed, participates in the construction of Turner's artistic persona. Lithography enabled the wider circulation of images, shaping public perceptions of artists. The print suggests the importance of art’s institutions in framing the artist’s legacy. To fully understand this image, we need to consider the history of printmaking, the role of the Royal Academy, and the market for reproductive prints. The meaning of this portrait lies not just in its representation of Turner, but in its participation in the art world of 19th-century Britain.