Cathedral exhibition to celebrate art of Turner
ART enthusiasts will be given the chance to discover the works of JMW Turner when an exhibition celebrating the acclaimed Romanticist painter comes to Lichfield Cathedral.
The free exhibition, entitled ‘Mr Turner Comes To Lichfield’, will take place at the cathedral from Monday, April 24 until Sunday, June 11.
While the event will showcase Turner’s striking landscapes, including the rarely seen vivid watercolour of Lichfield Cathedral, and related sketchbooks donated by Tate Britain, it will also introduce guests to pieces by Thomas Girtin, John Piper and other prominent 19th and 20th century artists.
The London-born artist visited Lichfield Cathedral in 1830 as part of a tour of the Midlands, and it is believed that his watercolour of the landmark, which depicts the building’s spires looming beyond a body of water, originates from around this time.
It is one of a series of paintings by Turner illustrating the cathedral’s artistic merits. Simon Warburton, director of operations and enterprise at Lichfield Cathedral, said: “It is wonderful to be hosting this very spe- cial free exhibition here in Lichfield, and we are particularly excited to be presenting Turner’s beautiful painting of the cathedral to the people of the town, which until recently has been in a private collection.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for all art lovers, and I would strongly encourage people to come along and learn more about one of the greatest masters of British watercolour painting.”
Entry to the exhibition is free of charge, although donations to the cathedral are encouraged and welcomed.
As well as the Mr Turner Comes To Lichfield exhibition, other events related to Turner are being developed including a unique opportunity to see the film Mr Turner projected inside the cathedral.
The West End play The Painter, starring Iain Fletcher, will also play ‘in the round’ inside the cathedral from May 29 to June 3.
To find out more about Mr Turner Comes To Lichfield and the cathedral’s other upcoming events, visit www.lichfield-cathedral.org