Turner as Inspiration

Stormy seascape painting with ship against a large rock and dark stormy clouds in the sky
Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), A Ship against the Mewstone, at the Entrance to Plymouth Sound, c.1814. Photo © National Gallery of Ireland.

1-31 January 2026
Print Gallery | Free admission 

The National Gallery of Ireland welcomes back our 31 watercolours by J.M.W. Turner, following their loan to the National Galleries of Scotland last year. Since their bequest by Henry Vaughan in 1901, these works have been exhibited every January, offering audiences a glimpse into Turner’s evolving artistry - from English parkland scenes to his expressive visions of Venice and the Alps. This year’s exhibition is enriched by the inclusion of watercolours and prints by artists who found inspiration in Turner’s mastery of light, colour, and atmosphere. Works by Hercules Brabazon (1821-1906), William Callow (1812-1908), John Faulkner (1835-1894) and James H. Burgess (1819-1890) highlight Turner’s influence, while Irish artists Jennifer Lane (b.1952) and Niall Naessens (b.1961) pay homage to his enduring legacy. Together, these works underscore how Turner continues to inspire new artistic generations.

Curator: Anne Hodge, Curator of Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Ireland.

Also coming in 2026: