Art of Turner admired Claude

Joseph Mallord William Turner

Of all the Old Masters, Turner admired Claude the most, enthusing about the quality of light in the artist's Italian landscapes.

On his death, Turner left the National Gallery two paintings – 'Dido building Carthage' and 'Sun rising through Vapour'. He made the gift in his will on condition that the works were hung between two pictures by Claude, which he named as 'The Seaport' ('Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba') and 'The Mill' ('Landscape with the Marriage of Isaac and Rebecca').


This exhibition brings together other closely related works by Turner and Claude. Many of these paintings share the same theme, giving visitors a chance to fully appreciate the enormous influence of Claude's mastery of light and landscape on Turner – from his formative years until the end of his life.


Turner Inspired: In the Light of Claude is the most in-depth examination of Turner's experience of Claude's art to date.


The exhibition includes oils, watercolours and sketchbooks and introduces visitors to the story of the Turner Bequest and its importance in the history of the National Gallery. The final room of the show exhibits archive material dedicated to this relationship.

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