Turner’s Watercolours: Scotland’s Vaughan Bequest

1 - 31 January 2025 
Print Gallery | Admission free

To mark the 250th anniversary of Turner’s birth, the National Gallery of Ireland is undertaking an exciting exchange with the National Galleries of Scotland. In January 2025, the National Galleries of Scotland’s group of 38 Vaughan Bequest Turner watercolours will go on display in the Print Gallery at the National Gallery of Ireland. At the same time, the National Galleries of Scotland will display the National Gallery of Ireland’s Turner collection in their Royal Scottish Academy building. The two exhibitions will provide visitors with a rare opportunity to view a new selection of Turner’s masterful watercolours from Henry Vaughan’s renowned collection, in familiar surroundings. This exchange, very much in the spirit of Vaughan's generous bequest, comes as a result of many years of discussion and planning by the two institutions. 

Turner’s Watercolours: Scotland’s Vaughan Bequest will delve into the interests and motivations of J.M.W. Turner as artist and Henry Vaughan as collector. The works on loan from the National Galleries of Scotland range from detailed topographical views from the 1790s, to vibrant and expressive watercolours of Venice and the Swiss Alps that date to the 1830s and 1840s. This exhibition will encapsulate Turner’s entire career and will showcase his innovative techniques. 

Exhibition Curators: Anne Hodge (National Gallery of Ireland) and Charlotte Topsfield (National Galleries of Scotland).

Proudly supported by Grant Thornton, Turner Exhibitions Partner