National Galleries of Scotland

Welcome in the New Year with our annual display of Turner watercolours.

These works, bequeathed to the Gallery by the distinguished collector Henry Vaughan, span Turner’s career, from his early topographical wash drawings to his atmospheric sketches of continental Europe from the 1830s and ‘40s. Vaughan stipulated in his bequest that these delicate watercolours should be ‘exhibited to the public all at one time, free of charge, during the month of January’ and his wishes have been faithfully adhered to for over 100 years.

This limited exposure has resulted in the works retaining their luminous colours and pristine condition.