The Irish National Gallery will be showing its annual Turner exhibition for the month of January.
The Dublin 2 gallery will host the exquisite collection of light-filled watercolours by JMW Turner (1775–1851) from 1-31 January.
Admission is free and the Turner exhibition will be shown alongside a group of topographical drawings by Francis Place (1647-1728), which include the earliest known depictions of Drogheda, Dublin, Kilkenny and Waterford in the national collection.
Important collections
This is the first time that these two important collections have been shown together.
The Place collection was purchased almost 50 years ago through the National Gallery’s Shaw fund.
Bequest
In 1900, the National Gallery of Ireland received a bequest of 31 watercolours and drawings by Turner from the English collector Henry Vaughan (1809-99).
Vaughan stipulated in his will that the watercolours be exhibited every year, free of charge, for the month of January, when daylight is at its weakest.
Since 1901, the gallery has upheld the conditions of this significant bequest, and January 2021 will mark 120 years since the Turner watercolours were first exhibited there.
The exhibition showcases the work of two prominent English artists working centuries apart, while highlighting the importance of two key benefactors (Vaughan and Shaw), both of whom made lasting contributions to the Irish National Gallery.
The exhibition is curated by Niamh MacNally (curator of the Prints and Drawings Study Room).
Gallery gift
Supporters of the gallery are also encouraged to consider giving the gift of gallery membership this Christmas.
Membership of the ‘Friends of the Gallery’ will allow loved ones to stay connected to culture and creativity, and to find solace and joy in art.
A gift-membership voucher may be purchased online and lasts for 12 months from activation.
Friends of the gallery receive free admission to all exhibitions, as well as other member benefits.
The National Gallery is currently hosting an exhibition by influential Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, known for his distinctive abstract works using geometric shapes.