COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
CMA_.1942.647
AMICA Library Year:
1998
Object Type:
Paintings
Creator Name:
Turner, Joseph Mallord William
Creator Nationality:
European; British
Creator Role:
artist
Creator Dates/Places:
1775 - 1851
Gender:
M
Creator Name-CRT:
Joseph Mallord William Turner
Title:
The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, October 16, 1834
Title Type:
Primary
View:
Full View
Creation Date:
1835
Creation Start Date:
1835
Creation End Date:
1835
Materials and Techniques:
oil on canvas
Dimensions:
Unframed: 92.7cm x 123.2cm
AMICA Contributor:
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Owner Location:
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
ID Number:
1942.647
Credit Line:
Bequest of John L. Severance
Context:
On the night of October 16, 1834, the Houses of Parliament in London were consumed by fire. As their seat of government went up in flames, Londoners crowded bridges, lined the banks of the River Thames, and filled every available boat in order to gaze in awe at the horrifying spectacle. Turner joined the crowd to sketch the sight, but his painting made shortly afterwards cannot be considered a literal record of the fire. A painterly drama of form and color, the picture is an uneasy mix of horror and beauty inspired by the inferno.
Related Image Identifier Link:
CMA_.1942.647.tif
