Widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest landscape painters, J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851) elevated watercolor to new heights. A tireless traveler and keen observer of nature, he relied on the medium to capture the grandeur of alpine lakes, river valleys, glaciers, and sweeping seascapes — often infused with a human presence.
Tomorrow marks the 250th anniversary of Turner’s birth. To celebrate, the Taft Museum of Art and the Cincinnati Art Museum have joined forces to bring together 12 masterworks by the celebrated British artist from their collections. On view at the Taft through June 15, 2025, the J.M.W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons exhibition is the first time these watercolors have been shown together, offering a unique chance to explore Turner’s brilliance in the medium.
The exhibition includes views of Switzerland, Germany, France, England, Scotland, and Italy. Alongside these extraordinary works on paper, the exhibition showcases examples of Turner’s innovative techniques and period painting tools on loan from local collections.
“J.M.W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons is a rare opportunity to see these treasures up close and in person,” said the exhibition’s curator Tamera Lenz Muente. “Each is filled with exquisite color and mind-blowing details that you can examine with magnifying glasses we’ll have in the gallery.”
