Towneley Hall hosts Turner paintings

25-01-2012

One of Britain's greatest artists will be the star of the show at Towneley Hall this week, as an exciting new exhibition opens featuring original JMW Turner watercolours.

Turner is regarded as one of the masters of British watercolours, and the exhibition, featuring three of his original pieces, will delight art lovers from Burnley, Lancashire and beyond.

It is around 200 years since he visited Burnley and the surrounding area, where he painted his esteemed works, ‘Towneley Hall', ‘Mitton Hall', and ‘Study of Crosses' (Whalley), all of which will feature in the exhibition.

The exhibition will showcase 26 watercolours in total, which are being hung in the new Stocks Massey gallery ready to be enjoyed when the exhibition opens on January 24th.

Turners' pieces will join those of other famous British artists such as David Cox and David Roberts, alongside celebrated local artists such as Orlando Greenwood, whose portrayal of local mill life is a must-see.

Councillor Jeff Sumner, Burnley Council's Executive Member for Leisure and Culture said of the exhibition:

"This exhibition is big news for Burnley and Pennine Lancashire. To showcase an artist whose paintings can be seen in the Tate gallery, the home of great British art, is very exciting for the town.

"It is even more exciting that one of the paintings we are displaying is of the building it sits in, our very own Towneley Hall, the jewel in Burnley's crown.
"I'd encourage everyone to visit the exhibition, locals and visitors alike, and to take in everything else the Hall and Park has to offer."

The ‘Hidden Treasures of Towneley' series, which begins with watercolours, is the first of three major exhibitions for 2012, which will go on to feature local history and fine arts later in the year. Visitors can see the watercolours until April 9th.

 

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