Celebrating JMW Turner’s 250th Birthday: A Year of Events and Exhibitions in the UK

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JMW Turner’s 250th birthday is celebrated in 2025 with events across the UK, including exhibitions at Tate Britain and Norwich Castle. The Turner250 festival includes a documentary, special screenings, and the Turner Prize in Bradford. Various institutions will feature Turner’s works, celebrating his revolutionary impact on British art.

JMW Turner, a titan of British art, is being celebrated this year for his 250th birthday with events throughout the UK. A transformative figure in 19th-century landscape painting, Turner’s legacy includes being featured on £20 notes and inspiring the Turner Prize. Art institutions are gearing up for the Turner250 festival, alongside a BBC documentary and special screenings of the film ‘Mr Turner’.

Tate Britain in London will host an exhibition showcasing Turner’s work alongside rival John Constable, in addition to a collection of his sketches from the Turner Bequest starting in November. Norwich Castle Museum presents its first grouping of four iconic Turner paintings of Surrey’s Walton bridges and additional works from the artist, all part of the ongoing celebrations.

Turner’s self-designed house in Twickenham will display his seldom-seen wildlife depictions for his 250th birthday, while Harewood House in Leeds will connect Turner with Jane Austen through an exhibit featuring their respective works from May to October. Bath’s Holbourne Museum will exhibit Turner’s experimental watercolours from May 23 to August 31, showcasing his bold artistic approach.

The Turner Prize will take place in Bradford this year as part of the UK’s City of Culture programme, with shortlisted artists announced on Turner’s birthday, April 23. This homage celebrates Turner’s enduring impact despite not exhibiting his own work.

JMW Turner, one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, revolutionised landscape painting in the 19th century. He is also prominently featured on the £20 banknote and inspired the establishment of the Turner Prize, which recognises outstanding achievements in contemporary art. The year 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Turner’s birth, prompting nationwide celebrations and exhibitions that connect his legacy with various cultural institutions across the UK.

This year, as JMW Turner’s 250th birthday approaches, numerous events and exhibitions are being held across the UK to honour his monumental contributions to art. From exhibitions showcasing his works to the prestigious Turner Prize in Bradford, the celebrations provide a comprehensive look at his enduring influence on art and culture.

Original Source: www.timeout.com