Artwork
Lake of Thun
Lake of Thun is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Joseph Mallord William Turner. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1808, this print by J.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1808, this print by J. M. W. Turner combines etching with mezzotint to depict Switzerland’s Lake Thun. The work measures the lake’s tranquil waters against a dramatic sky, employing a palette of deep tones that convey a brooding atmosphere. The title, placed at the bottom of the composition, identifies the real Alpine lake that serves as the setting for the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a rugged shoreline where figures and livestock are unloading a wagon onto the bank, while small vessels drift farther out on the water. A steep, craggy mountain rises behind the scene, its peaks pierced by swirling clouds. The juxtaposition of human activity with the imposing natural landscape suggests a contemplation of mankind’s modest presence amid Alpine grandeur.
Technique & Style
Turner employed the fine line work of etching for the detailed outlines of the figures, animals, and rocky terrain, while the mezzotint component supplies rich, velvety shadows that model the clouds and mountain mass. This combination allows a nuanced gradation of tone, creating depth and a moody, atmospheric quality characteristic of Turner’s early landscape experiments.
History & Provenance
The print was produced during Turner’s early career, a period when he was exploring the possibilities of printmaking to capture dramatic natural scenes. Though the original plate’s later whereabouts are unclear, examples of the work have appeared in several 19th‑century print collections and continue to be cited in studies of Turner’s development as a landscape artist.
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.
