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J.M.W. Turner, Margate (?), from the Sea, 1835-40. © The National Gallery, London.
The generous bequest by J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) to the nation is a cause for celebration, and yet it has often led to disputes and debate. The current exhibition at Turner's House explores these issues through the lens of the painting, Margate (?), from the Sea. One of many paintings regarded as unfinished following Turner's death, Margate's journey into the National Gallery reflects our engagement with the artist over the past 170 years.
Exhibition curator Dr Alan Crookham, Chief Librarian and Archivist at the National Gallery, considers the history of the Turner Bequest at the National Gallery in London. He will start by looking at Turner’s will, how it was contested by his relatives before the Court of Chancery, and the resolution of the court case. The talk then turns to the history of the display of the Turners at Trafalgar Square and the complicated relationship between the National and Tate Galleries as they sought to determine the final distribution of the bequest.
The exhibition Unfinished Business: The Mystery of Margate and Turner’s Bequest is at Turner’s House, Sandycombe Lodge, Twickenham TW1 2LR, from 23 April to 25 October 2026 and is supported by a grant from ARTscapades.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live with Q&A, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.