The Confrontation Between Nature And Technical Progress In Art
The British painter William Turner, a forerunner of French Impressionism, a watercolorist and, no less important, a true advocate of the industrial revolution. From an early age, Turner had many patrons, amongst whom were influential financiers and industrialists.
Having developed his talent over many years, at the age of seventy, Turner completes the last strokes of a painting for the Royal Academy of London — “Rain, Steam and Speed”. Long before the advent of avant-garde, Turner ventured to use a technique of quick, sweeping strokes and a bold palette of colors. It is believed that the painting, when considered from afar, reveals its central idea more clearly. The foggy atmosphere caused by heavy rain above the cumulus clouds of steam from a high-speed train was a frightening scenario of the time. The vanishing perspective used by Turner gives an interesting view towards the painting. All the different elements of the painting are mixed and merged into one another — with the exception of the train, which stands out like an iron beast on a yellow-blue-gray background. Everything seems clear — the train as the personification of the industrial revolution against the backdrop of the countryside. But what if we look at the work more closely? A bridge, a boat and … a hare! It might be difficult to see, but it is in this detail that we find the meaning of the painting. Since ancient times, the hare has been considered a symbol of hope and rebirth. By adding this detail to the painting, the author admits to being torn between progress and nature. In this, the smallest detail can personify the mighty forces of nature.
