The artwork titled “What You Will!” created by the esteemed J.M.W. Turner in 1822, is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 53.1 by 48.3 cm. This exemplary piece of genre painting resides within the art movement of Romanticism and is currently housed in the Clark Art Institute, located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA.
The artwork portrays an idyllic scene set within a lush, bountiful garden, filled with vibrant foliage bathed in the warm, ethereal light typical of Turner’s oeuvre. The composition is dominated by towering trees and classical statues, which add an element of grandeur and timelessness to the pastoral setting. Groups of finely dressed figures, engaged in leisurely pursuits, populate the scene, highlighting the serenity and cultivated elegance of the environment. The harmony between nature and human presence reflects the Romantic idealization of the natural world, depicting it as both beautiful and sublime.
