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The definitive exhibition of two pivotal British artists in the 250th year of their births.

Highlights

• Discover the lives and legacies of two of Britain's greatest landscape painters
• Explore the intertwined lives of Turner and Constable in a landmark exhibition
• See Turner's powerful and dynamic later paintings that shocked art critics
• Admire Constable's expressive cloud sketches capturing the changing light of an English sky
• Get a glimpse of the artists' personal lives through their sketchbooks and personal items

Description

Two of Britain’s greatest painters, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable were also the greatest of rivals. Born within a year of each other – Turner in 1775, Constable in 1776 – they used landscape art as a way to reflect the changing world around them. Raised in the gritty heart of Georgian London, Turner quickly became a rising star of the art world despite his humble beginnings. Meanwhile Constable, the son of a wealthy Suffolk merchant, was equally determined to forge his own path as an artist but faced a more arduous rise to acclaim. Though from different worlds they shared a profound connection to nature, and both set their sights on transforming landscape painting, investing it with layers of meaning and emotion. With the two painters vying for success through very different but equally bold approaches the scene was soon set for a heady rivalry. Turner painted blazing sunsets and sublime scenes from his travels, while Constable often returned to depictions of a handful of beloved places, striving for freshness and authenticity in his portrayal of nature. The art critics compared their paintings to a clash of ‘fire and water’. Marking 250 years since their births, this landmark exhibition explores Turner and Constable's intertwined lives and legacies. Discover unexpected sides to both artists alongside intimate insights seen through sketchbooks and personal items. Must-see artworks include Turner’s powerful and dynamic later paintings, which shocked the art critics of his day and went on to inspire Claude Monet, and Constable's expressive cloud sketches capturing the changing light of an English sky. This is an unmissable opportunity to explore the careers of the two greatest British landscape painters, seen – as they often were in their own time – side by side. Curated by Amy Concannon, Manton Senior Curator, Historic British Art, with Nicole Cochrane, Assistant Curator, Historic British Art (1790–1850).

Includes

Entrance to Turner and Constable exhibition.

Important Information

• Please bring your booking confirmation to the Manton ticket desk to exchange for your exhibition ticket, we recommend allowing at least 15 minutes before your entry time for this.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund