Tivoli with the Temple of the Sybil and the Cascades 1796 - 1797

This is Tivoli with the Temple of the Sybil and the Cascades by Joseph Mallord William Turner, made with watercolor and graphite on paper. Turner, a master of light and atmosphere, used watercolor in a way that feels almost improvisational. The fluidity of the medium allows for a directness of expression, a kind of immediacy that mirrors the sensory experience of being in the landscape. You can almost feel the mist rising from the cascades, the sun struggling to break through the haze. Notice how the washes of color blend into each other, creating a sense of depth and volume with minimal effort. Turner was not only an accomplished painter, but also a shrewd businessman, attuned to the market for landscape views amongst the British aristocracy. His landscapes, like this one, were products of a particular social context, appealing to the romantic sensibilities of the time. Paying attention to the materials, the making, and the context, allows us to appreciate the skill and labor involved in creating this mesmerizing artwork.