JMW Turner is a GOAT of British art. The 19th century painter changed the game when it came to landscape painting, his self-portrait can be found on the back of our £20 notes and he’s also the namesake of Britain’s most prestigious art award – the Turner Prize.
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This year (like fellow icon Jane Austen) is Turner’s 250th birthday. Art galleries and cultural institutions all over England are gearing up for the Turner250 festival to celebrate the anniversary. The BBC is also set to release a documentary all about the artist and there’s a screening of the award-winning ‘Mr Turner’ happening at the BFI. These are some of the best things happening across the UK to commemorate 250 years of Turner.
Tate Britain
From November, London’s Tate Britain is holding an exhibition partnering Turner’s work with that of his artistic rival John Constable as well as an exhibition of Turner’s sketches, drawings and watercolours from the Turner Bequest, a 37,500 collection that was gifted to the nation.
Norwich Castle
Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery is showing four of Turner’s famous paintings of the bridges at Walton in Surrey all together for the very first time. It is also showcasing seven oil paintings and nine other works by the artist. This exhibition kicked off Turner250 celebrations and is available to see right now.
Turner’s House, Twickenham
Turner’s House in Twickenham, which he designed himself, makes for a great visit at the best of times. But to make it even more special for his 250th birthday, the house is showing the artist’s rarely seen depictions of wildlife.
Harewood House, Leeds
Birthday twins, Turner and Jane Austen will be brought together for a celebratory exhibition at Harewood House in Leeds. Featuring first edition copies of Austen’s novels and Turner’s paintings of the house, it’ll run from May 2 to October 19 and show how the lives of the two cultural titans intertwined.
Holbourne Museum, Bath
Head to Bath from May 23 to August 31 to stare in awe at Turner’s watercolours. This exhibition will ‘showcase Turner at his most experimental and gestural’.
Bradford
This year’s Turner Prize is being held in Bradford as part of its UK City of Culture programme. You won’t see any work from Turner himself, but it’s nonetheless an homage to his legacy. The artist’s shortlisted for the coveted award will be announced on the morning of Turner’s birthday on April 23.
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