Turner in January 2026: Turner opens a new year of art exhibitions

As every January, the National Galleries of Ireland and Scotland present “Turner in January,” an annual exhibition of drawings and watercolours by British artist J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851).

Image: Joseph Mallord William Turner, “Sunset over Petworth Park”. National Gallery of Ireland Collection. Image, National Gallery of Ireland.

Every January since 1901, the National Gallery of Ireland and Scotland have staged an exhibition of drawings and watercolours by J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) bequeathed by the collector Henry Vaughan, who stipulated that the works should only be exhibited in winter, to prevent excessive light from damaging them. The National Gallery of Ireland received 31 watercolours, while the National Galleries of Scotland received 38 watercolours. The exhibition is on view from January 1 to January 31.

The National Gallery of Ireland explain that this year’s exhibition “is enriched by the inclusion of watercolours and prints by artists who found inspiration in Turner’s mastery of light, colour, and atmosphere. Works by Hercules Brabazon (1821-1906), William Callow (1812-1908), John Faulkner (1835-1894) and James H. Burgess (1819-1890) highlight Turner’s influence, while Irish artists Jennifer Lane (b.1952) and Niall Naessens (b.1961) pay homage to his enduring legacy. Together, these works underscore how Turner continues to inspire new artistic generations.”