Turner inspired by the Greeks

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

In one of my first articles (in French only), I introduced an oil on canvas painted in 1808 by Turner. This work of his youth, 91 x 120 cm, caused by the planned destruction of Pope's villa at Twickenham, was sold £ 5.4 million including expenses by Sotheby's in London on 9 July 2008.

We come again at Sotheby's, this time in New York to find a large oil on canvas by the artist, 117 x 178 cm, for sale on January 29.

It is a temple of Jupiter Panellenius (ie friend of the Greeks). This painting is later (1816), but the composition is similar to that of 1808: an animated green leads to a remote monument, flooded with sunlight, which is the strong point of the image. The characters of the English villa were walkers. Those of the temple, dressed according to antique fashion, play a round dance.

Turner made only three paintings inspired by Greece. We must see the influence of the romantic come back to the antique (that at that time influenced also the cloth fashion) and not a political mood, as the movements that would lead to the independence of Greece were just beginning in 1816.

Considering its great size, this Turner painting is probably one of the most important to be still in private hands. It expects $ 12 million.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Sotheby's knows the market for Turner. The result is in line with forecasts: $ 13 million including premium.