Until 12 April 2026
The definitive exhibition of two pivotal British artists in the 250th year of their births
Two of Britain’s greatest painters, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable were also the greatest of rivals. Born within a year of each other – Turner in 1775, Constable in 1776 – the art critics of the day compared their paintings to a clash of ‘fire and water’.
Tate Britain (wikipedia), known from 1897 to 1932 as the National Gallery of British Art and from 1932 to 2000 as the Tate Gallery, is an art museum on Millbank in the City of Westminster in London, England. It is part of the Tate network of galleries in England, with Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives.
Founded by Sir Henry Tate, it houses a substantial collection of the art of the United Kingdom since Tudor times, and in particular has large holdings of the works of J. M. W. Turner, who bequeathed all his own collection to the nation. It is one of the largest museums in the country. In 2021, it ranked 50th on the list of most-visited art museums in the world.
The gallery is on Millbank, on the site of the former Millbank Prison. Construction, undertaken by Higgs and Hill, commenced in 1893, and the gallery opened on 21 July 1897 as the National Gallery of British Art.
However, from the start it was commonly known as the Tate Gallery, after its founder Sir Henry Tate, and in 1932 it officially adopted that name.Before 2000, the gallery housed and displayed both British and modern collections, but the launch of Tate Modern saw Tate's modern collections move there, while the old Millbank gallery became dedicated to the display of historical and contemporary British art. As a consequence, it was renamed Tate Britain in March 2000.
With the two painters vying for success through very different but equally bold approaches, the scene was soon set for a heady rivalry within the competitive world of landscape art. Turner painted blazing sunsets and sublime scenes from his travels, while Constable often returned to depictions of a handful of beloved places, striving for freshness and authenticity in his portrayal of nature.
Marking 250 years since their births, this landmark exhibition explores Turner and Constable's intertwined lives and legacies. Discover unexpected sides to both artists alongside intimate insights seen through sketchbooks and personal items.
Experience many of the artists’ greatest works, with over 170 paintings and works on paper. Highlights include Turner’s momentous 1835 The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, not seen in Britain for over a century and The White Horse 1819, one of Constable’s greatest artistic achievements.
This is a one in a lifetime opportunity to explore the
careers of the two greatest British landscape painters, seen – as they often
were in their own time – side by side.
Turner and Constable is in partnership with LVMH. Supported by the Huo Family Foundation and James Bartos. With additional support from The Turner and Constable Exhibition Supporters Circle, Tate Americas Foundation and Tate Members.
https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/turner-and-constable
EN ESPAÑOL, NOTAS DE PASO
La entrada a este gran centro artístico, de los más conocidos en la capital junto a la National Gallery, la National Portrait Gallery y la nueva Tate, siempre ha sido gratuita, aunque se deben pagar las exposiciones cuyo precio ronda las 25 libras (cercanas a los 30 euros), aunque hay situaciones especiales de pago que se contemplan y facilidades.
A la una del mediodía los ingleses todavía están probablemente comiendo, pero fue una sorpresa llegar a la Tate y encontrarse con una afluencia inesperada de público. Todos en orden, como suele pasar en esta gran ciudad, activa pero siempre organizada, preparando una especie de espera atenta para ir disfrutando de la producción de los que tal vez sean los mejores y más conocidos pintores del panorama británico.
Se los considera desde el continente, los precursores del impresionismo francés y de todas las escuelas que hicieron del paisaje y del tratamiento de la luz y la naturaleza su razón de ser. Más Turner que Constable, pero todo siempre en arte es opinable, con un ramillete de temas amables y bien tratados, despliega una paleta de colores y una técnica en diferentes materiales- óleos, acuarelas- que podrían constituirse en un mapa de aprendizaje para cualquier alumno de una escuela de arte o para un amateur también, que pueda complacerse en el detalle y la excelencia. Tan famosos como otros pintores, sin embargo (sin olvidarse de la fulgurante pléyade de los prerrafaelitas, hipnóticos).
Ejercicio de relajación, terapéutica en el invierno inglés que ahora se compara con las evoluciones climáticas de los países del sur del continente, esta muestra es un largo momento de meditación y de exaltación de la naturaleza y de la mirada con que los humanos elevamos a aquello que muy a menudo, no alcanzamos a definir ni a comprender.
Alicia Perris
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario