Ross Sterling Turner An American Impressionist painter, watercolorist and etcher, Ross Turner first worked as a mechanical draftsman, in Alexandria, Virginia, and for the U. S. Patent Office, Washington, D. C. In 1876 he went to Europe, initially studying in Paris and then at the Academy in Munich where he came into contact with such fellow American artists as William Merritt Chase and Frank Duveneck. In 1879 Turner traveled in Italy and worked in Florence, Rome and Venice. At this point his art became increasingly concerned with the shifting effects of light, color and tonal values; those elements which are associated with Impressionism.


Ross Turner contributed four original etchings to The Hawthorne Portfolio. These are entitled, The Old Manse, St. Botolph’s Church, Roma and Florence. Each of these etchings explores Turner’s concerns with the effects of light and shade and thus represent early examples of American Impressionism in this medium. Roma (Rome) was commissioned by the publisher to illustrate Hawthorne’s, French and Italian Note-Books. With its striking tonal contrasts it ranks among Turner’s finest etchings.


Ross Turner “The Old Fishing Boat” Etching original etching is printed upon fine Laid paper and with large, full margins as published in the limited edition of one hundred and twenty five impressions in The Hawthorne Portfolio in 1884 measuring 3.25 by 2.75 inches approximate and in good condition.

Art (paintings, prints, frames)