The Evening Star

The Evening Star

The Evening Star is a painting done by J.M.W Turner, a Romantic painter who lived from 1775 to 1851. This painting depicts a boy walking along the seashore, carrying a net, and accompanied by a small dog. As the name hints, in the painting there is an evening star in the sky which is reflected brightly in the ocean water. According to the information at the museum, this painting is unfinished and is regarded as more of a study of light and atmosphere.
The techniques Turner used in executing this painting, such as textures and brushstrokes, and color choice, have a vast affect on the emotional impact of the piece. This painting is particularly textured with varying paint thickness throughout the painting. For example, the star both in the sky and the reflection in the sea is done with thickly applied white paint. This draws the viewer’s attention. While we can see the star in the sky, the reflection in the water is much brighter and more discernable. Personally this led me to think about reflections in aspects of my life. I thought of my actions and what they reflect about me. The reflection of what my actions may mean or how others may take them is often more poignant than the action itself. I may be totally off base in my interpretation, but I think that the way the elements flow and blend in this painting allow the viewer’s mind and thoughts to easily and naturally flow, assisting them in reaching their own personal conclusion or interpretation.
Turner’s painting techniques seem to be less focused on details and more focused on the full effect of the work. The Evening Star consists of many elements that seem to flow together. This particular style differed greatly from previous European landscapes. These landscapes contain much more detail, while Turner’s painting leaves more room for personal interpretation of the landscape.
The color palette used by Turner in this painting is a perfect example of the way he blends the elements of his paintings. The soft, warm colors in The Evening Star seem to blend and flow into one another. This gives the effect of not knowing where one element ends and another begins. These colors and the way they are used evoke calm, peaceful, and pensive emotions in the viewer.
The size and scale of the image also contributes to its emotional impact. Personally, I felt that the image was fairly intimate. It is not so big that it makes the viewer feel insignificant and small in comparison. The scale of the boy and the dog also make the viewer feel that they aren’t too far removed from the scene and that they could be walking further down the beach, experiencing the scene for themselves. Overall, Turner’s technique of blending the colors and elements in his paintings provides freedom for the viewer to make their own interpretations.

Portrait of JMW Turner