Turner made more than twenty tours abroad, travelling to France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and as far afield as the present-day Czech Republic. Travel afforded Turner a wealth of views which he recorded in sketchbooks to recall authentic topographical details. These continental tours also stimulated his imagination, and provided the inspiration for historical and poetical subjects, as well as evocative landscape views.

In the 1790s, because of the French Revolution, the young Turner’s travels were limited to the British Isles. But in 1802, with the Treaty of Amiens, a brief cessation in hostilities finally enabled him to visit France and Switzerland; he was 27 years old. After the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815), Turner began a lengthy period of extensive exploration, with repeated visits to the French rivers, Venice and Germany, and culminating in four annual trips to Switzerland, which inspired some of his most eminent paintings. For the last time, Turner tackled the demanding Swiss terrain in 1844 at the age of 69, making his final continental tour, to Normandy, the following year. Though ill-health prevented him from returning, he continued to paint Venice and Switzerland with unfaltering devotion in his later years.

This display has been devised by curator Julia Beaumont-Jones.

On display until 25 July 2010, admission is free

BP British Art Displays 1500-2009