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In contrast to many of Turner’s paintings – often full of activity, grand architectural settings, dramatic weather and dazzling effects of colour and light – this painting looks almost empty. The only figure is a barely visible young boy with a shrimping net over his shoulder, who wades in from the shoreline to be greeted by a small leaping dog. The ghostly trace of a boat to the right of centre, which has been painted over, suggests that Turner decided to emphasise the vastness of the sky and sea rather than human industry.

The title, The Evening Star, was not Turner’s, but was given to the painting decades later because of the presence of a star – a tiny dab of thick white paint. Although originally thought to be unfinished, Turner may actually have been satisfied with the painting’s evocation of a particular moment and not seen the need for additional work on it.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

The Evening Star

Date

about 1830

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 91.1 x W 122.6 cm

Accession number

NG1991

Acquisition method

Turner Bequest, 1856

Work type

Painting

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

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Artist or maker

Joseph Mallord William Turner

1775–1851

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