Self-Portrait n.d.

This self-portrait was made by Joseph Mallord William Turner, in England, using graphite on paper. The exact date of this work is not known, but it is likely to have been made during the first half of the 19th century. We see Turner in profile, head bowed, hands clasped. It presents an image of the artist as a deeply thoughtful individual, a trope that was highly popular at that time. Turner was a complicated figure, who became highly successful within the existing structures of the British art world, becoming a Royal Academician in 1802, but he also pushed against these norms. His style was radical, and his choice of subject matter was also quite distinctive. He was fascinated by the sublime power of nature, especially the sea. To understand Turner better, we can look at the exhibition histories of institutions like the Royal Academy, and explore the writings of contemporary critics. Through this, we can understand the dynamic social and institutional context for his work.