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Indepth Arts News:
"Turner's Gallery, House and Library"
2001-03-05 until 2001-07-15
Tate Britian
London, ,
UK United Kingdom
To mark the 150th anniversary of JMW Turner's death, Tate Britain
is housing a reconstitution of his own gallery. Turner's Gallery,
House and Library, will show the collection of the artist's paintings
which hung in a purpose-built gallery in Turner's house in London.
These are the works by which he wished to be remembered.
Departing from the usual thematic and chronological hang of the
Turner Bequest in the Clore Gallery, the exhibition will show only
the finished pictures that Turner himself chose to show.
The central area of the Clore Gallery will present an impression
of what contemporary visitors to Turner's Gallery in Queen Anne
Street would have seen, including a simulation of the 'Indian red,
neither pale nor dark' that a friend recalled on the walls of the
original Gallery. The display will draw out the richness and diversity
of Turner's achievement, and demonstrate the parallels across time
and subject that he expected to convey, offering a compelling visual
experience and allowing the pictures to speak as they did in Turner's
time.
Another section of the display examines Turner's house, through
which visitors passed on their way to the Gallery. The house
became a legend for discomfort and squalor, but the evidence
disputes this. While it is true that he neglected it late
in life, the exhibition will show that Turner designed improvements
to the property and had intended to set himself up in some
style, reflecting his professional status, ambition and self-image.
Turner's fine library was contained in the house, and
books including dedications to the artist from authors are
displayed.
Turner's personal collection of pictures, drawings and prints
also form part of the exhibition. While varied in quality, these
reflected his friendships and interests and provided a key inspiration
for his work. Examples from the Tate Collection and loans from Turner's
descendants will be shown.
Turner's Gallery, House and Library is selected by Tate Curators
David Brown and Alison Smith. A broadsheet is available to coincide
with the exhibition (£2, 16 pages).
IMAGE:
George Jones
Turner's Gallery; The Artist Showing His Work
c1852
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
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