Turner Inspired: In the Light of Claude

Turner created a revolution in painting at the beginning of the 19th century, responding to a modern industrial landscape with a freer style and new approaches to composition. Yet a lasting dialogue with the 17th century painter Claude lay at the heart of these developments.

This exhibition offers the chance to compare closely related works by Turner and Claude and discover the extent to which Turner was inspired by Claude's mastery of light and landscape.

Works on display

'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.

Turner bequest

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).

Turner Inspired: In the Light of Claude is a National Gallery exhibition created in collaboration with Tate Britain.

Joseph Mallord William Turner

1775 - 1851

Claude

1604/5? - 1682

Supported by the Corporate Members of the National Gallery

Image above: Detail from Joseph Mallord William Turner, 'Keelmen Heaving in Coals by Night', 1835. Image courtesy of the Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Widener Collection 1942.9.86