The Literary Gazette (14 May 1842) characterised Turner as being sometimes 'brilliant as Prospero' and at others of being 'mad as Tom o'Bedlam'. Although his two paintings of Venice - The Dogano and The Campo Santo, were a 'gorgeous ensemble' this effect appeared to be a result of throwing 'handfuls of white, and blue, and red, at the canvas'. The Snow Storm was described as 'a confused dream', Peace, Burial at Sea, as 'idealised and removed from truth' and War, The Exile and the Rock Limpet as 'truly ludicrous' (See also the Athenaeum, 14 May 1842 and Blackwood's Magazine, July 1842). The critic regretted that such a skilled artist such as Turner should 'so misapply his vast powers; and cause the British School to mourn its sacrificed honours'.