Skip to main content

Story: Light

Light in England

Image
Light in England

The British artist J. M. W. Turner was particularly known for his evocation of English light. He painted this work, ‘Yachting at Cowes’, in 1835. Immigrants arriving from Britain were frequently struck by the contrast between the hazy atmosphere of their homeland and the bright clarity of light in New Zealand.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki

by Joseph Mallord William Turner

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Jock Phillips, Light – Experiencing New Zealand light, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/7656/light-in-england (accessed 14 June 2026).

Story by Jock Phillips, published 2 March 2009.