Turner's Vision at Petworth Exhibition
For the first time in 20 years, a wide range of JMW Turner’s artistic studies of the Petworth landscape will be exhibited in the very place that inspired him. Visitors will be able to discover more about his approach, and the impact of Petworth’s extraordinary landscape on Britain’s most celebrated artist.
21 June – 16 November 2025.
Turner’s Vision at Petworth will include 10 views of the Petworth landscape, including oil paintings and works on paper on loan from Tate, that give a unique insight into his methods and artistic inspiration. They tell the story of Turner’s connection with the landscape, and with George O’Brien Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont (1751-1837) who collected many of his works. This exhibition is a celebration an extraordinary landscape seen through the eyes of a master painter.
A fruitful patronage
Turner was a frequent guest at Petworth, returning year after year throughout the 1820s and 30s. The 3rd Earl of Egremont was a collector of British art and patron to many artists of the time who were also repeat visitors, including John Constable (1776-1837) and C. R. Leslie (1794-1859).
Turner enjoyed the beauty of Petworth, and was able to observe, consider and record the great country estate without the usual constraints that were placed on a visitor to such a large house. This freedom to explore and create was encouraged by his enlightened host.
The 3rd Earl’s patronage of Turner led to a magnificent commission of four landscapes depicting Petworth and other local views which currently hang in the Carved Room. Several studies of these paintings form part of the exhibition.
A rare collection
This loan of 10 rarely seen works from Tate will give visitors a unique opportunity to dig deeper into Turner’s experiments with colour and his use of materials. From the remarkably expressive studies that reflect his experimentation as an artist, to the magnificence of the final paintings such as ‘Dewy Morning’ (1810), the works on display map a clear artistic journey.
They offer a fascinating insight into the methods of this most innovative of artists, and sit alongside the 20 oil paintings that hang in Petworth’s permanent collection. Visitors will then be able to step into Capability Brown’s 700-acre deer park, the very landscape that inspired Turner, and which has barely changed in the years since.
"We’re so excited to be able to show visitors another aspect of the work that Turner produced during his time at Petworth. The exhibition will enrich people’s understanding of a place that played such a significant role in his life." - Dr Emily Knight, Property Curator, Petworth House.
Turner’s Vision at Petworth is part of Turner 250, a year-long festival of special exhibitions and events across the country to mark 250 years since the birth of the renowned artist.
Turner’s Vision at Petworth runs from 21 June until 16 November 2025.
£10 admission per adult, £5 per child, under 5s go free. Admission fees for this exhibition apply to National Trust members.
