Sep 8, 2020
J. M. W. Turner - Sunset (~1830) & Sunset (1835).
An interesting bit of information I learned the other day - Although these paintings where most likely painted at similar locations, the dramatic difference can be attributed to air pollution from a recent volcanic eruption.
When volcanos erupt they release sulphuric gases (volcanic smog) and is exactly what Turner depicted in this painting. Breathing in volcanic smog can wreak havoc on the respiratory system and when mixed with water vapours, volcanic smog forms to create hazards such as sulphuric acid; which can eventually fall to the ground in the form of acid rain.
Although very dangerous, volcanic fog can be very beautiful as wonderfully demonstrated in Turner’s “Volcanic Sunset” (1835).
