The Woman and Tambourine, plate 3 from Liber Studiorum
published 1807
Medium
Etching and engraving in brown on ivory wove paper, laid down on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Image: 18.3 × 26.6 cm (7 1/4 × 10 1/2 in.); Plate: 20.8 × 29 cm (8 3/16 × 11 7/16 in.); Primary support: 28 × 38.4 cm (11 1/16 × 15 1/8 in.); Secondary support: 30.6 × 44.5 cm (12 1/16 × 17 9/16 in.)
Classification
etching
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
71639
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
**The Woman and Tambourine, plate3 from *Liber Studiorum*** *Joseph Mallord William Turner, 1807* J.M.W. Turner, visionary British Romantic artist famed for his luminous landscapes and dramatic seascapes, launched his ambitious *Liber Studiorum*Book of Studies*) in 7. This series of71 etched and engraved plates, issued in 14 parts until 1819, showcased Turner's innovative approach to landscape art, drawing inspiration from 17th-century masters like Claude Lorrain. "The Woman and Tambourine," plate 3 from the first installment, captures a lively rustic scene, evoking the pastoral charm and folk vitality that Turner categorized within his prints—likely blending "Pastoral" or "Modern" themes with rhythmic energy. Printed in brown ink on ivory wove paper (then laid down on ivory laid paper), this etching and engraving exemplifies Turner's mastery of mixed techniques. He etched the intricate lines himself for precision and spontaneity, while engravers like Charles Turner (no relation) added rich tonal depth through mezzotint-like effects. At 18.3 × 26.6 cm, the intimate scale invites close viewing, revealing atmospheric subtlety that foreshadowed Turner's later watercolor brilliance. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, it highlights printmaking's role in democratizing art during the Napoleonic era, making Turner's genius accessible beyond oil paintings. This plate not only reflects Turner's technical prowess but also his celebration of everyday joy amid nature— a tambourine-strumming woman amid peasants, pulsing with life and light. A gem for print enthusiasts! (198 words)
About the Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner · 1775–1851
Joseph Mallord William Turner, born on 23 April 1775 in London's Covent Garden to barber William Turner and Mary Marshall, emerged as a child prodigy amid personal hardships. His mother suffered mental illness and died in Bethlem Hospital in 1804, while his father supported his early sketches by displaying them in his shop. Around age 10, Turner stayed with his uncle Joseph Mallord William Marshal...