Joseph Mallord William Turner, or J.M.W. Turner as he’s more commonly known, was the artist who basically made clouds and waves the stars of the show. Known for his atmospheric landscapes, Turner could take a simple seascape or countryside scene and transform it into an almost mystical experience. His ability to capture the effects of light and weather was so ahead of its time that it often felt like he was painting not just the landscape, but the very essence of nature itself. If you’ve ever looked at a Turner painting and thought, “That sky looks like it’s about to speak to me,” you’re not alone. Turner had a gift for making the natural world feel both immense and incredibly personal.

Turner’s work spanned several decades, and he became famous for his dramatic, often turbulent depictions of nature. He was fascinated by the sublime—those awe-inspiring moments where nature feels powerful and uncontrollable—and he didn’t shy away from showing nature in its raw, chaotic form. His later works, especially, with their swirling skies and ethereal light, are seen as precursors to Impressionism, and some even say he painted the “first abstract” works. Turner’s innovative techniques and passion for capturing the fleeting moments of light and weather have earned him the title of the “painter of light,” and even today, his works continue to stir our imaginations, making us look at the world around us a little differently—like everything might just be a little more magical than we thought.