Most famous image of JMW Turner not a self-portrait, says expert
Summary
An expert has said that a famous painting thought to be a self-portrait of the English artist JMW Turner is probably painted by another artist, John Opie. The painting is part of the Tate collection and was featured on the £20 banknote launched in 2020.Key Facts
- The painting was considered a self-portrait of Turner but may actually be by John Opie, a contemporary artist.
- Dr. James Hamilton, an expert on Turner, made this claim after studying the painting’s style and history.
- The portrait was included in the Turner Bequest, a collection of nearly 300 paintings and 30,000 sketches Turner left after his death in 1851.
- There was confusion about the painting’s authorship because many works were gathered after a court case involving Turner’s family and the nation.
- The painting was done around 1799 when Turner was 24 years old.
- Stylistic details like light and shadow match Opie’s known works.
- Opie painted many artists and may have given this portrait to Turner as a gift.
- The Tate may not change the attribution officially due to legal rules about the Turner Bequest.
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