J M W Turner depicted cloudscapes in all seasons and developed ways to paint luminous clouds and skies.

One of the great patrons of Turner was BG Windus (1790-1867) who opened his collection of art to viewing by the public one day a week.  His villa was opposite Luke Howard’s house on Tottenham Green. To read more, go here Turner in Tottenham

“Turner painted the turning point in our planet’s modern history. The FightingThe Fighting TemeraireTemeraire is a sailing ship, but in his famous work it is being towed to its grave by ais a sailing ship, but in his famous work it is being towed to its grave by a steam ship. A coal-powered puffer, belching flame.steam ship. A coal-powered puffer, belching flame. His Rain, Steam and SpeedHis Rain, Steam and Speed sees asees a smoking locomotive at the vanguard of the Industrial Revolution, howling out of the fug.smoking locomotive at the vanguard of the Industrial Revolution, howling out of the fug.

His sunsets are vivid, his skies torrid – he captures the cusp of change – by the time hisHis sunsets are vivid, his skies torrid – he captures the cusp of change – by the time his palette dried for good, we had plunged into the Anthropocene and climate breakdownpalette dried for good, we had plunged into the Anthropocene and climate breakdown was Earth’s destiny. We can thus look at his work and see the machinery of danger in itswas Earth’s destiny. We can thus look at his work and see the machinery of danger in its infancy – nostalgic, fascinating and frightening… but oh so beautiful!”infancy – nostalgic, fascinating and frightening… but oh so beautiful!”
Chris Packham CBE, broadcaster, author, environmental activist and animal welfare campaigner

         To find out more about JMW Turner and the environment download
           Turner: A world of care exhibition and climate action guide (45MB)

The painting in the header Clouds and Rain over Water c.1820-40 is at the Tate Britain,
 where there are many more of Turner’s clouds and skies to see.