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 years. Painted 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 built. At Sotheby's auction house on Wednesday, the painting sold to a private UK collector for £1.9m, nearly eight times the estimate price. Bristol Museum & Art Galleryhad been fundraisingto 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 scene. The painting had been lost for 150 years before the artist's signature wasrediscovered last yearduring a restoration project. During 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 birth. Due 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." Follow BBC Bristol onFacebook,XandInstagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or viaWhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Lost Turner work sold as museum outbid at auction
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"Bristol Museum Outbid for JMW Turner Painting at Sotheby's Auction"
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TruthLens AI Summary
A recent auction at Sotheby's saw a JMW Turner painting, The Rising Squall, sold for £1.9 million, significantly surpassing its estimated price. The painting, created in 1792 when Turner was just 17, is notable for being the earliest-known oil painting exhibited by the artist and is believed to be the only one depicting a scene from Bristol. The artwork had been lost for 150 years until its rediscovery last year during a restoration project, which revealed the artist's signature. The Bristol Museum & Art Gallery had launched a fundraising campaign, titled Bring Turner Home, to acquire the painting and successfully raised £109,000 from over 1,700 donors. However, their efforts were ultimately in vain as they were outbid by a private UK collector at the auction. The museum has expressed gratitude for the public's support, although they acknowledged disappointment at the auction's outcome.
In light of this setback, Kate Newnham, senior curator at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, emphasized the extraordinary response from the community and highlighted ongoing plans to celebrate the public's generosity. Later this year, the museum plans to showcase a rare display of Turner's watercolour collection, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Turner's birth. This exhibition will include four delicate paintings that have not been exhibited for over a decade, showcasing Turner's inspiration drawn from the stunning landscape of the Avon gorge. Newnham reiterated the museum's commitment to art accessibility and cultural engagement, expressing pride in being part of a city that actively supports such initiatives. Despite the disappointment of losing the painting, the museum remains optimistic about future opportunities to connect the public with Turner's legacy and the art community in Bristol.
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