Arnold's Magazine of the Fine Arts, Summer 1833

To scorn tamely following in the beaten tracks of others is a restless curiosity, but endeavour to discover new combination of objects or refined ideas, are powerful characteristics of a great genius, whatever may be his pursuit. Thus the most eminent painters have always been the greatest experimentalists... Turner, after having well grounded his talent, emerged as a meteor in colouring. (Hamilton, p. 263)

We are well aware on this point he is unceasingly assailed, as sacrificing both nature and art to a false taste. [However, the majority] have no perception of the combination of the whole... Instead of censuring, they ought to rejoice in having the opportunity for observing, in his various experiments, the progress and process by which he attempts to embody the most beautiful and difficult effects of nature... To look at Turner 's is to look on nature herself ( Finberg, The Life of J. M. W. Turner, p. 343)

CW