Turner: The Henry Vaughan Bequest, opening 1 – 31 January 2023, is the popular free annual display of light-filled watercolours by Turner, bequeathed by the wealthy English collector Henry Vaughan in 1900. This year, Turner lovers are in for a double treat with the opportunity to view two outstanding exhibitions of work by the master of atmosphere and light. Also on view in the Gallery is the major temporary exhibition Turner: The Sun is God – featuring 89 artworks on loan from the Tate collection in London - continuing until 6 February 2023. Both Turner exhibitions are proudly supported by Grant Thornton, Turner Exhibitions Partner. Tickets for Turner: The Sun is God start from €5, and are available on nationalgallery.ie.
Turner: The Henry Vaughan Bequest, presents the Gallery’s exquisite collection of 31 watercolours by Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851). This year’s display will not only include the 31 Vaughan Bequest works, but five additional Turner watercolours within the Gallery’s collection. Eight of the artist’s much-loved Liber Studiorum prints will also be included. This year, visitors have an exciting opportunity to view two Turner shows, as the large temporary exhibition Turner: The Sun is God runs into 2023. This large-scale exhibition displays a range of superb oil paintings, alongside a wealth of watercolours, sketchbooks and prints, from the Turner Bequest of 1856, housed at Tate. The works on show in this comprehensive exhibition are filled with dramatic contrasts of light and dark, along with stunning weather effects. Interestingly, a number of the Liber Studiorum prints in Turner: The Henry Vaughan Bequest relate to artworks on show in Turner: The Sun is God.
Niamh MacNally, curator of the exhibition, commented: “In January 2023, the Print Gallery display, Turner: The Henry Vaughan Bequest will showcase the full breadth of watercolours by Turner in the Gallery’s collection, comprising 36 works in total. Added to this will be a selection of prints from the artist’s famous Liber Studiorum series. This exhibition will provide insights into how these works by Turner came to form part of the collection. It will also highlight the various benefactors of these works including Henry Vaughan, the renowned art collector and connoisseur.’’
In 1900, the National Gallery of Ireland received a bequest of 31 watercolours and drawings by J. M. W. Turner from English collector Henry Vaughan (1809–99). Vaughan stipulated in his will that the watercolours be exhibited every year, free of charge, for the month of January, when the light is at its weakest. Since 1901, the Gallery has displayed the watercolours for the month of January, thereby upholding the conditions of this bequest.
A programme of learning events will complement the exhibition. The Gallery has re-published its definitive book The Works of JMW Turner at the National Gallery of Ireland in hard-back to accompany the exhibition. It is available from the Gallery Shop priced €22.95 and shop.nationalgallery.ie.
Proudly supported by Grant Thornton, Turner Exhibitions Partner