The MMA collection boasts a collection of 94 mezzotints and engravings by Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775 – 1851), considered the greatest landscape painter of his generation and often referred to as ‘the painter of light’.

In order to bring his painted landscapes and seascapes to a wider public, Turner painstakingly supervised a team of master engravers in the production of folios of his images. McMaster’s prints were produced by Turner and his team. Most are unpublished proofs, works in progress and for many images we have more than one version. This allows us to see Turner’s process and reveals his creativity in action.

Spot the difference between this detail from the print above and a later version of the image.