A TURNER painting which has not been exhibited for nearly 200 years is just one of many objects that can be seen at attractions across the UK for the first time this summer.
A Turner watercolour of Malmesbury Abbey, has now been purchased by Athelstan Museum after receiving a grant of £380,900 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It has been in private hands for the last 40 years and hasn’t been publicly exhibited since 1833.
In the 2020/21 financial year, the Heritage Fund invested more than £400m cash into the heritage sector, helping more than 1,500 heritage organisations and enabling hundreds to reopen this summer. Support continued for ongoing projects and emergency support was provided at speed during the crisis to help heritage recover and reopen.
The Mayor’s secretary, Lynda Cryer, views the painting of “Malmesbury Abbey, Wiltshire” by British artist J.M.W. Turner on public display, for the first time in 200 years, at the Athelstan Museum and Gallery Photo by Luke MacGregor
Turner first saw and sketched the Abbey in his youth in the 1790's and he completed the watercolour in 1827.
Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “These are just some of the fascinating heritage objects that people are able to see this summer, thanks to the support of National Lottery players. As venues reopen I am pleased that the Heritage Fund has enabled these new discoveries to see the light of day.”
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