Turner’s Watercolours: Scotland’s Vaughan Bequest

JMW Turner, The Piazzetta, Venice, 1840. Collection: National Galleries of Scotland Henry Vaughan Bequest 1900.

This January, the National Gallery of Ireland continues its tradition of displaying J.M.W. Turner’s watercolours with a special twist for 2025. To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the artist’s birth, the Gallery is hosting an exciting exchange with the National Galleries of Scotland. Scotland’s 38 Vaughan Bequest Turner watercolours on display in Dublin. At the same time, the National Galleries of Scotland is showcasing Ireland’s Turner collection in the Royal Scottish Academy Building, Edinburgh. The works on loan range from his detailed topographical views of the 1790s to the vibrant and expressive watercolours of Venice and the Alps that highlight his innovative techniques. The exchange is very much in the spirit of Vaughan’s generous bequest.