Study of Sea and Sky c. 19th century

Editor: This is J.M.W. Turner's "Study of Sea and Sky," and it feels incredibly atmospheric, almost foreboding. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Turner created this study during a time when Romanticism grappled with the sublime power of nature. Do you see how the indistinct forms evoke a sense of overwhelming force? This reflects anxieties of industrialization and the shifting relationship between humanity and the natural world. Editor: So, the vagueness isn't just about the weather, but also about a broader societal feeling? Curator: Precisely. The lack of clear definition mirrors the uncertainty and fear of a rapidly changing world, where nature's dominance was being challenged, and in turn, nature pushed back. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about; it's more than just a pretty picture of the sky. Curator: Indeed, it’s a reflection of its time, anxieties and all.