Artwork
What You Will!
What You Will! is an oil painting by Joseph Mallord William Turner. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute.
About this work
A notable detail in the painting is the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of depth and volume.
This painting depicts a group of people gathered in a wooded area, surrounded by trees and statues. The scene is set against a backdrop of a cloudy sky, with the figures dressed in attire from the early 19th century.
A notable detail in the painting is the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of depth and volume. This technique is evident in the way the light filters through the trees, casting shadows on the figures and the ground.
The painting's style and composition suggest that it is a work by J.M.W. Turner, known for his landscapes and use of light and color.
Overview
What You Will! is an oil painting created by J.M.W. Turner in 1822. It is a distinctive work that reflects Turner's engagement with earlier artistic and literary traditions.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a group of figures in a wooded landscape, surrounded by statues and dressed in 19th-century attire. The scene is set under a cloudy sky and draws inspiration from William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, as well as the Fête galante style pioneered by Antoine Watteau.
Technique & Style
The painting showcases Turner's use of chiaroscuro, with light filtering through the trees to create deep shadows and a sense of volume. This technique, combined with the composition and style, is characteristic of Turner's landscape paintings and his innovative use of light and color.
History & Provenance
What You Will! was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1822 and was purchased by Turner's friend, the sculptor Francis Leggatt Chantrey. The painting is now held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute in Massachusetts, having been acquired in 2007.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner was born in 1775 at Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, where his father kept a barber and wig-making shop.
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