§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans there are to commemorate the 150th anniversary of J. M. W. Turner's death; and what plans there are to create a single national collection of his works. [24175]
§ Dr. HowellsTo commemorate the 150th anniversary of J. M. W. Turner's death, Tate Britain staged an exhibition from 5 March to 15 July 2001, focusing on the contents of Turner's own gallery. To mark the anniversary Tate Britain is also currently featuring in its anniversary display area an example of Turner's views of Venice, which was also one of the first of his works to enter the national collection.
The Royal Academy held a major commemorative exhibition of Turner's finished watercolours from 2 December 2000 until 18 February 2001 to commemorate the anniversary. Most of the exhibits were lent by other national and international institutions with over 40 works on loan from private collections.
A single holding of the works from Turner's bequest to the nation was made possible with the opening of the Clore Wing at the Tate Gallery (now Tate Britain) in 1987. Although other collections in the UK continue to hold and display works by the artist, this represents the largest single national collection of Turner's work, where works may be viewed and studied in depth.