Visual Arts

The exhibition entitled Watercolour Masterpieces: Turner and his Contemporaries draws exclusively from the superb collections of Leeds Art Gallery. Set within the historic surroundings of Temple Newsam, the exhibition is a rare treat in which to see over 50 masterpieces.

The paintings will be displayed in two shows: Part I - Watercolour Masterpieces of the Northern Landscape from Thursday 9 April - Sunday 19 July 2009 and Part II - Watercolour Masterpieces of the Southern Landscape from Tuesday 4 August - Sunday 1 November 2009.

Cozens' Lake Albano & Castel Gandolpho

The exhibition features works by Cozens (1752-1797), Girtin (1775-1802), Varley (1778-1842) and Cotman (1782-1842) alongside Turner (1775-1851) and includes some well-known pictures including Cotman's 'A Ploughed Field', Turner's 'Valley of the Washburn', Girtin's 'Bolton Abbey' and Towne's 'Vale of St John' among many other famous works.

Art experts see landscape painting is an area in which British artists have always excelled. Temple Newsam's exhibition reveals the eclectic subject matter landscape artists have chosen to paint and the varied ways in which they have interpreted it. In contrast to the picturesque, romantic style of Turner and Cozens, the exhibition also showcases the topographical tradition of artists such as Francis Place and Paul Sandby. 

Many of the artists represented in the exhibition travelled extensively throughout Europe. The exhibiting of the masterpieces in two displays – Northern landscapes and Southern landscapes - enables the exhibition to portray the affinity British landscape artists had with European landscapes. The climes and terrains of countries such as France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland were one of the greatest sources if inspiration for many British landscape artists.

Watercolour Masterpieces: Turner and his Contemporaries will be accompanied by a special events programme including talks, a chance to meet the curator and family activities. The exhibition is free on general admission to the house. Visit the webpage for further information on ticket prices, opening times and details of the special events programme: