Turner and Coastal Scenes

A watercolour painting of a stormy sea, with a ship being tossed on the waves. The dark sky is illuminated by shafts of light.
Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), A Shipwreck off Hastings, c.1825.

1 - 31 January 2024 
Print Gallery | Admission free

In 2024, the Gallery’s free annual display of the Vaughan Bequest of Turner watercolours is presented alongside a selection of eighteenth and nineteenth-century coastal scenes by British and Irish artists.

Like Turner, these artists drew inspiration from the rugged coastlines and bustling fishing communities that they encountered first hand. Well-known locations including the Baily Lighthouse in Howth, Dún Aonghasa on the Aran Islands, and the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim are depicted. This selection of artworks, drawn from the Gallery’s collection, points to Turner’s influence and shows how coasts have captivated artists for generations. The watercolours also reveal the mercurial beauty of the Irish and British coasts.

Curator: Niamh MacNally

Proudly supported by Grant Thornton, Turner Exhibitions Partner

Also coming in 2024: