Robin from the Farnley Book of Birds by JMW Turner

Joseph Mallord William Turner was an English Romantic painter, printmaker and watercolorist. His work is known for its expressive colouring, imaginative landscapes and turbulent marine paintings. Born in London where he lived all his life, he was a child prodigy, enrolling at the Royal Academy of Arts when he was fourteen and exhibiting his first work there at fifteen. During this period he also worked as an architectural draftsman. He became Professor of Perspective at the Academy in 1807 where he lectured until 1828. He travelled around Europe from 1802 returning with a huge number of sketchbooks. Turner is buried in St Paul’s Cathedral, London.