Inverary Pier Loch Fyne, Morning Possibly 1811

This print of Inverary Pier on Loch Fyne was made by J.M.W. Turner, one of Britain’s most celebrated artists. It’s one of a series of prints which, taken together, reflect the changing face of the country at the dawn of the industrial age. Turner witnessed both the rapid growth of urban centres and the decline of rural ways of life. In this quiet image of Scottish fishermen, we might see a nostalgia for pre-industrial society. The print was made in the early 19th century, a time of social upheaval and reform. Institutions like the Royal Academy shaped the production and reception of art, reinforcing hierarchies of taste and skill. But artists like Turner also challenged these conventions by bringing attention to the lives of working people. The historian, through careful research of sources and social conditions, can help us understand the complex and often contradictory meanings of such images. By understanding the social forces that shape artistic production, we can begin to appreciate the depth and complexity of art.