English artists who left their island to explore Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries were part of the “Grand Tour” tradition—a rite-of-passage journey lasting several months to discover foreign landscapes, historical sites, and cultures, funded by wealthy aristocrats.
Colors, atmospheric effects, seasons: their travels in France, Germany, and especially Italy played a crucial role in the evolution of landscape painting in Great Britain. They found in watercolor and sketching from life a means of expressing all their emotions and their heightened sensitivity, sparked by the discovery of these new landscapes. As sensitive as they are dazzling, their works reveal a new relationship with nature. In a completely new style, they foreshadow Romanticism and anticipate the Impressionist revolution.
Inspired by these predecessors, William Turner (1775–1851) takes center stage in this exhibition with 18 works by the artist himself and 16 works from his studio. Following in his footsteps are John Robert Cozens, Francis Towne, Thomas Jones, Joseph Wright of Derby, and Richard Wilson: an entire generation of artists, unjustly overlooked in France, will be featured through their exploration of new lands, and the exhibition will focus on demonstrating the impact of these journeys on their perspectives and their art. The modernity of these English painters remains striking even today.
Turner’s work is rarely exhibited outside of English museums, which house most of his pieces. Furthermore, the generation of English traveling artists—of which he is a part—will be a true revelation to the general public in France.
A rich and diverse cultural program will highlight this “English season” at the museum: concerts, screenings in the auditorium, special guests, and talks…
This exhibition is made possible through an exceptional partnership between Tate Britain and the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille/Ville de Lille, and by the support of Fondation Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe. It is coproduced with GrandPalaisRmn.
Scientific curatorhip
David Blayney-Brown, conservateur général honoraire de la Tate Britain (Londres)
General curatorship
Juliette Singer, Directrice du Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille et du Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse
Alex Farquharson, Directeur de la Tate Britain (Londres)
Associated curator
Alice Fleury, conservatrice en chef, Directrice des collections au Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
