Published Thursday 27 May 2021 at 17:25
Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery has been fortunate enough to benefit from the generosity of a number of local people who have either bequeathed or donated their wonderful collections to us since 1874.
One such person was Edwin Leach Hartley who bequeathed his collection of six Turner watercolours, along with 82 other watercolours by artists including J.R. Cozens and David Cox, in 1954. He also donated other paintings during his lifetime.
Hartley was the son of George Pickup Hartley, a provisions dealer from Blackburn. Born in 1864 he was the youngest of 9 children. He attended Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, then Cambridge University and went on to become a barrister. In later years he became involved in the cotton trade. At the time of his death he was the chairman of mills in Darwen, Preston and Manchester.
Turner was famous in his own lifetime and remains one of the most recognised artists today. The Turner Prize art award was named in his honour.
Joseph Mallord William Turner was born 23 April 1775 at Covent Garden, London. He was a child prodigy, being accepted into the Royal Academy of Art at only 14 years of age. His works include watercolours, engravings and oil paintings. He died on 19 December 1851 in London. Turner was famous in his own lifetime and remains one of the most recognised artists today. The Turner Prize art award was named in his honour.
Turner toured widely both at home and abroad, creating art inspired by the scenery around him.
The Falls of Terni c.1819 were painted following Turner’s first visit to Italy in 1819.
Equally inspired by Britain Turner credited the skies of Northumberland for making him famous.
Tynemouth c.1822
In about 1832 Turner was commissioned to paint a number of biblical scenes. He had never travelled to the Middle East so painted the pictures from drawings by travellers such as the architect Charles Barry.
Ramah (Rachel’s Tomb) c.1835
Blackburn with Darwen Executive Member for Wellbeing Cllr Damian Talbot said: “It’s fantastic that this collection of Turner paintings is on display. These valuable paintings in the museum collection are very rarely on display so don’t miss your chance to go in and have a look.”
The watercolours will be on display at Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery until 18 September 2021.
