Why did J.M.W. Turner emphasize light and atmosphere in his landscapes?

J.M.W. Turner emphasized light and atmosphere in his landscapes to move beyond conventional representation and capture the emotional and elemental power of nature. His focus on these qualities served several purposes:12

• Emotional and Narrative Depth: Turner believed his works should express significant themes, such as the relationship between humanity and the environment or the "sublime" terror and beauty of natural forces. By manipulating light and atmosphere, he could evoke deeper emotional responses, often pushing his compositions toward abstraction to better represent the infinite forces of nature.12
• Technical Innovation: Influenced by his mastery of watercolor, Turner used light and color to explore space, distance, and perspective. His travels, particularly to Italy, helped him refine his ability to render natural lighting, leading to purer colors and more convincing atmospheric effects.23
• Symbolism and Realism: He used light symbolically—such as the flaming colors in The Fighting Temeraire—to reflect on historical change and the passage of time. Even in his more experimental, abstract works, he maintained a rigorous, well-observed knowledge of how light interacts with elements like snow, fire, or water to create a sense of reality.2