Tate Britain celebrates Turner’s 250th birthday with new displays across the UK

Tate Britain is celebrating the 250th birthday of legendary British artist JMW Turner with a series of exciting events and displays, both at the gallery and across the UK. The highlight of this celebration is the opening of a new room in the permanent free display at Tate Britain, showcasing over 100 of Turner’s works, including stunning watercolours and sketches. This display is part of Tate’s ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing Turner’s legacy, with the gallery holding the world’s largest collection of his paintings. The new exhibition includes some of his earliest works, such as a watercolour he created at just 12 years old, as well as a dramatic painting of a fire that was long believed to depict the Houses of Parliament but is now identified as the Tower of London.

Turner 250. JMW Turner, Self-Portrait, c. 1799. Image courtesy of Tate.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Tate is lending over 100 Turner paintings to museums and galleries across the UK and internationally. These loans offer a unique opportunity for audiences outside of London to experience his masterpieces. Notable exhibitions include a display at Turner’s House in Twickenham, featuring his watercolours of animals, birds, and fish, and a presentation at Turner Contemporary in Margate, where visitors can view his evocative oil painting Waves Breaking on a Lea Shore. Turner’s works will also be featured in exhibitions at the Whitworth in Manchester, Harewood House in Leeds, and many more venues across Europe and Asia.

In addition to the exhibitions, Tate is partnering with the BBC to bring Turner’s art and life to a wider audience. A major new documentary, as well as new videos and online resources, will explore Turner’s travels and artistic legacy. A key part of this anniversary year is the upcoming publication of a comprehensive catalogue of Turner’s 37,500 works on paper, a project that has taken over 20 years to complete. This definitive guide will be freely accessible on Tate’s website later this year, offering fresh insights into the artist’s methods and ideas.

Windsor Castle - Celebrating Turner 250: Easter Holidays.JMW Turner, Windsor Castle from the Great Park, c.1795. © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust

The celebrations will continue throughout the year, culminating in a major exhibition at Tate Britain titled Turner and Constable, which will open on 27 November 2025. This exhibition will explore the fascinating rivalry between these two iconic British artists. Director of Tate Britain, Alex Farquharson, expressed his excitement about the anniversary, stating, “Through new scholarship and research, we are constantly discovering fresh stories to tell about his life and his art. In this very special anniversary year, I’m delighted that Tate is enabling millions of people to experience Turner’s work here at Tate Britain, as well as in other museums and galleries across the UK and the world.