Portrait of J.M.W. Turner, R.A. 

Curator: Here we have John Thomas Smith’s "Portrait of J.M.W. Turner, R.A." It offers us a glimpse into Turner's creative world. Editor: Moody, isn't it? All that chiaroscuro makes it feel like a secret revealed under the cloak of darkness. Curator: Absolutely, the strong contrast intensifies the almost ethereal quality of the painting within the painting. The materiality of the support measures 486 by 391 mm. Editor: See how Turner, lost in creation, embodies the sublime, mirroring those wild seas he loved. Smith captures the essence of his friend and fellow artist through art, a visual echo chamber! Curator: It's a quiet study of genius at work, and it allows us to reflect on the nature of artistic inspiration. Editor: Indeed, quite the reflective piece. It is as if we have gained access to Turner's mind.