Because he captured Britain at its most dramatic: foggy, fiery, and battered by sea. Because he was a weirdo who lived for art and died poor (despite being rich) because he hid cash in old boxes. And because, when you hold that note, you’re holding a little piece of chaos in your hand—a reminder that genius often looks like a hermit with bad hygiene.
Next time you pay for coffee with a £20, give a silent toast to Turner. He’d probably spend it on paint, gin, and three different types of fish. And if you squint, maybe—just maybe—you’ll see a snowstorm in the watermark.
Disclaimer: No members of the Royal Academy were harmed in the writing of this article. But Turner’s ghost is definitely laughing.
