Latest news with #KateNewnham
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Lost Turner painting sold as Bristol art museum outbid at auction
An art museum has been outbid at auction - despite what it called its "Herculean" efforts - to bring a JMW Turner painting home to the city that inspired it following its rediscovery after 150 in 1792, when Turner was 17, The Rising Squall features a former hot spring and spa in Bristol, as seen from the east bank of the River Avon before Clifton Suspension Bridge was Sotheby's auction house on Wednesday, the painting sold to a private UK collector for £1.9m, nearly eight times the estimate Museum & Art Gallery had been fundraising to acquire the masterpiece, but the combined total of £109,000 will now be returned to those who donated. It is the earliest-known oil painting ever exhibited by the artist, and is believed to be the only one depicting a Bristol painting had been lost for 150 years before the artist's signature was rediscovered last year during a restoration its one-week campaign, more than 1,700 people contributed to the Bring Turner Home fundraiser. But, despite the dedication from art enthusiasts across the country, Kate Newnham, senior curator at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, said "it just wasn't our night". "The response from the public has been simply extraordinary," she said."Of course we would have liked a different outcome but we're still very positive, this isn't the end of the story."Ms Newnham revealed plans were under way to celebrate the public's generosity with a rare display of Turner's watercolour collection later this year - to coincide with the 250th anniversary of Turner's to their delicate nature, the four paintings have not been exhibited for 11 years. "It will be a chance to really celebrate the work Turner did in Bristol and the inspiration he got from the amazing landscape of the Avon gorge," Ms Newnham continued. "It really was the city and landscape that got his career off to a flying start. "We are proud to be at the heart of a city that believes in access to art and culture and that comes together to support it."
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bristol fundraiser to buy lost JMW Turner painting passes £100k
A campaign to buy and exhibit JMW Turner's earliest known oil painting in a museum has raised more than £100,000 in five City Council, which owns Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, wants to buy The Rising Squall, which depicts the Avon Gorge before Clifton Suspension Bridge was the £100,000 target has been reached, the authority has said extra money will strengthen its bid when the piece is sold at Sotheby's auction house on Wednesday. It is estimated to fetch between £200,000 and £300, council's head of culture and creative industries Phillip Walker said the authority had been "humbled" by people's "generosity and support". No council funds are being used for the acquisition. All the money raised has come from individual donors and cultural the council is successful, the painting will be added the Turner collection at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, where it will be accessible to the public for free. If it is unsuccessful, all donations made via the Crowdfunder will be refunded. The piece was painted in 1972, when Turner was 17, and is the first oil painting ever exhibited by Turner. It is believed to be his only artwork depicting signature was only discovered on the piece last year when the canvas was cleaned during a restoration project. Prior to that, it has been missing for 150 years. Kate Newnham, senior curator of visual arts at the museum, said: "It's overwhelming to have received such an incredible and positive response from the people of Bristol and beyond."It just goes to show the importance of access to art and culture to everyone."
