**Five Turner Masterpieces Set for Auction as Painter’s 250th Anniversary Approaches**
This summer, the art world will mark a significant milestone: the 250th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Mallord William Turner, one of Britain’s best-known and most influential painters. To commemorate the occasion, the renowned auction house Christie’s will present five of Turner’s artworks at auction in London, offering collectors and enthusiasts an extraordinary opportunity to acquire pieces by the acclaimed Romantic artist.
Turner, whose full name was Joseph Mallord William Turner and who was born in 1775, became celebrated for his evocative landscapes and sea-inspired scenes. Throughout his lifetime, Turner’s innovative use of light, atmosphere, and expressive brushwork elevated him to the status of a pioneer within the English Romantic movement. His works continue to captivate audiences well into the modern era, and they remain hotly sought after when they appear at auction.
The upcoming series of auctions at Christie’s is scheduled for July and coincides with the institution’s Classic Week—a highlight of the London summer arts season. This move by Christie’s comes nearly twenty years after a Turner watercolour from their sales fetched a remarkable £5.8 million in 2006, demonstrating sustained collector interest in the artist’s legacy.
Among this year’s anticipated offerings is the watercolour “Lake Brienz, With The Setting Moon,” a tranquil Alpine scene that is being presented as part of the Old Masters Evening Sale on July 1. Experts have estimated that this painting could command between £600,000 and £800,000 under the hammer, as it encapsulates Turner’s deft handling of moonlit vistas and serene landscapes.
Another painting drawing attention is “View Of Stoke House,” valued between £20,000 and £30,000. This piece is thought to contain a self-reflective touch, as a figure, possibly a self-portrait, can be seen sketching in the foreground. Collectors will have a chance to bid for this and two further works during a special collection sale scheduled for July 2, entitled “Old Masters, 19th Century Paintings And Drawings From A Private Collection: Selling Without Reserve.”
Also on offer is a vivid depiction of Cornwall’s rugged coast, focusing on the area near Pendennis Castle. This particular Turner work carries an estimated price of £60,000 to £100,000 and is expected to generate significant interest, particularly among those drawn to the artist’s affinity with maritime and coastal subject matter.
The fifth Turner up for sale is a pencil and watercolour piece on paper, which will feature in the “Old Masters To Modern Day Sale: Paintings, Drawing Sculpture,” also at Christie’s on 2 July. This work further illustrates the range and diversity found in Turner’s prolific output as both painter and printmaker.
The timing of these sales couldn’t be more fitting, as cultural institutions across the UK prepare to honour Turner’s 250th birthday. Tate Britain, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of Turner’s art, recently announced the launch of a newly dedicated gallery space featuring some of his most celebrated paintings. The museum will also introduce a video installation focusing on Turner’s extensive travels throughout Europe—journeys that deeply influenced his visual style and subject matter.
Interest in Turner remains not only a matter of historical appreciation. Every two years, Tate Britain hosts the prestigious Turner Prize ceremony, named in his honour and awarded to outstanding British contemporary artists. The recurring event ensures that Turner’s innovative legacy continues to inspire fresh generations and to spark ongoing conversations about the role of art in society.
As Christie’s prepares for these landmark auctions, the British art scene braces for renewed Turner fever. The combination of rare works on offer and the painter’s enduring cultural significance guarantees spirited bidding and fresh reassessment of Turner’s position within the canon of Western art. These auctions both reflect and reinforce Turner’s lasting impact, ensuring his relevance at the forefront of art history even after two and a half centuries.