J. M. W. Turner, The Fighting Temeraire, 1839 The HMS Temeraire was a famous warship from Trafalgar. By 1838, it was obsolete. Turner saw a small steam tug drag the wooden giant down the Thames for scrap. It changed art history forever, anticipating Impressionism and setting the stage for modern art. Turner called this painting "My Darling". He refused every offer to sell it during his lifetime and left it to the British nation when he died.