April 23, 1775: J.M.W. Turner is born.

This Romantic-era Impressionist forefather, called the “painter of light”, was controversial during his life - he was admittedly talented, yet heavily criticized for what was perceived to be an excessive use of color and haze. Today, he is regarded one of the greatest landscape painters of all time, using pure paint and passion to depict the beauty - and sometimes destructive power - of nature. Turner’s technique and style apparently later influenced many Impressionists, including Claude Monet himself. 

(pictured above: a self-portrait of the artist.)