Hampton Court Palace 

Here we see Joseph Mallord William Turner's watercolor depiction of Hampton Court Palace. The composition is dominated by diffused light and atmospheric perspective, creating a dreamy, almost ethereal quality. Turner masterfully uses horizontal bands of color to structure the image. The ochre and yellow of the foreground sandbar transition into the blues and greens of the river, leading the eye towards the distant palace rendered in muted reds and oranges. This division creates a layered effect, drawing the viewer into the scene while maintaining a sense of distance and romantic longing. Note how Turner destabilizes the traditional landscape. Rather than a precise architectural rendering, the palace is softened, almost dissolving into the sky. This reflects an interest in the sublime, prioritizing emotion and the overwhelming power of nature over strict representation. The diffuse light challenges fixed meanings and invites ongoing interpretation.