University of Liverpool Celebrates Turner’s Legacy with New Exhibition of Watercolours

University of Liverpool Celebrates Turner’s Legacy with New Exhibition of Watercolours

(IN BRIEF) A new exhibition at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum explores the brilliance of J.M.W. Turner and his contemporaries, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Turner’s birth in 2025. The exhibition, “J.M.W. Turner & His Contemporaries: Watercolours from the University of Liverpool Collection,” showcases Turner’s evolution through five key watercolours alongside works from artists like Thomas Girtin, John Sell Cotman, and Samuel Prout. Highlights include early works like The Old Mill, Ambleside, later pieces such as The Vale of Ashburnham, and Turner’s atmospheric masterpiece, St Michael’s Mount. The exhibition also features The Eruption of the Soufrière Mountains, offering a rare chance to view all six Turner works in the university’s collection together. The exhibition is free and runs until May 31, 2025.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 3-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A new exhibition at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum (VG&M) offers a stunning exploration into the artistic world of J.M.W. Turner (1775 – 1851) and his contemporaries. “J.M.W. Turner & His Contemporaries: Watercolours from the University of Liverpool Collection” is now open and will run until May 31, 2025, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Turner’s birth on April 23, 2025.

This captivating exhibition focuses on the “golden age” of British watercolour painting, a transformative period that saw the emergence of a remarkable group of artists. Through a selection of works from the University’s collection, the exhibition highlights Turner’s genius alongside the talents of 17 other renowned artists of the era.

Key pieces on display include five watercolours by Turner that showcase his evolution as an artist. These range from The Old Mill, Ambleside (1798), which reflects his early work in the picturesque style, to The Vale of Ashburnham, Sussex (c.1816), a piece inspired by Claude Lorrain, and finally to St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall (c.1830s), which demonstrates Turner’s mastery in capturing the atmospheric effects of weather.

Alongside Turner’s masterpieces, visitors will find works by other prominent artists such as Thomas Girtin (1775–1802), John Sell Cotman (1782–1842), David Cox Snr (1783–1859), and Samuel Prout (1783–1852). These works reveal the rich artistic exchanges and shared influences within this extraordinary community of artists.

Dr. Amanda Draper, Curator of Art and Exhibitions at VG&M, explained: “Turner is often celebrated as Britain’s greatest painter, and his innovative approach to art and atmospheric techniques continues to influence artists today. This exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to engage with both Turner’s work and the diverse styles of his peers, highlighting how their interactions shaped British art during a pivotal period.”

The exhibition also features Turner’s The Eruption of the Soufrière Mountains in the Island of St Vincent, 1812, a major oil painting from the University’s collection. This piece, along with the five watercolours, provides a rare opportunity to view all six of the University of Liverpool’s Turner works together, a display that has not been seen in over a decade.

“J.M.W. Turner & His Contemporaries: Watercolours from the University of Liverpool Collection” is free to enter and will remain open until May 31, 2025.

Media Contacts:

Joanne Carr
Deputy Director of Communications and Public Affairs
T: +44 (0)7825 434900
E: jocarr@liverpool.ac.uk

Catrin Owen
Media Relations Manager – Humanities and Social Sciences
T: +44 (0)7721 834238
E: catrin.owen@liverpool.ac.uk

Sarah Stamper
Media Relations Manager – Science and Engineering
T: +44 (0)7970 247396
E: sarah.stamper@liverpool.ac.uk

Jennifer Morgan
Media Relations Manager – Health and Life Sciences
T: +44 (0)7775 547589
E: J.L.Morgan@liverpool.ac.uk

Alison Cornmell
Media Relations Manager – Health and Life Sciences
T: +44 (0) 7771 700680
E: Alison.Cornmell@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool