‘Turner in January’ at National Galleries of Scotland

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851): “Bell Rock Lighthouse”

‘Turner in January’ at National Galleries of Scotland

A dramatic depiction of Robert Stevenson’s engineering marvel, the Bell Rock Lighthouse, by Britain’s most celebrated artist Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), shines its light on the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS)’s seasonal exhibition ‘Turner in January’. January 1 to 31, 2019.

Source: National Galleries of Scotland (NGS)

In a tradition that stretches back more than a century, every January the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) displays an outstanding collection of Turner’s radiant watercolours, bequeathed in 1900 by one of the greatest connoisseurs of his work, Henry Vaughan (1809-1899). Conscious that limited exposure would preserve the brilliant colour and exceptional condition of the works, Vaughan stipulated in his will that his Turners should only ever be shown during the first month of the year, when daylight in Edinburgh is at its weakest. The display runs throughout January, providing a thoughtful counterpoint to the more energetic celebrations of Hogmanay, and a welcome injection of light and colour during the darkest time of the year.

This year, another outstanding Turner watercolour from the NGS collection is also on show. Bell Rock Lighthouse was commissioned 200 years ago by the lighthouse engineer Robert Stevenson (1772-1850) to illustrate his book, “Account of the Building of Bell Rock Lighthouse”. Bell Rock is the oldest surviving rock lighthouse in the British Isles and Stevenson’s engineering masterpiece. First lit in 1811 and constructed at a cost of £61,331 using revolutionary building methods, it stands on a partially submerged reef off the Angus coast, regarded by sailors as among the most dangerous places on the east coast of Scotland. Turner’s spectacular watercolour shows the lighthouse standing proudly above the pounding waves, an indomitable symbol of Stevenson’s great achievement.

The 38 watercolours that make up the Vaughan Bequest, encapsulate Turner’s entire career, and were carefully chosen for their outstanding quality. Highlights including subtle and meticulous images of the 1790s, such as “Rye, Sussex and Lake Albano” and the spectacular Venetian views of 1840, such as “The Piazzetta, Venice” and “Venice from the Laguna”, which capture the drama and explosive skies of late summer Adriatic storms.