• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Friday July 4 2025

Going, going, gone somewhere else – Bristol misses out on bringing home Turner

A recently-rediscovered masterpiece by Romantic painter JMW Turner will not be coming to Bristol – despite a successful fundraising campaign.

When Bristol Museum & Art Gallery discovered The Rising Squall was going under the hammer at London auction house Sotheby’s they sprang into action – launching a Crowdfunder which raised over £110,000 from 1,450 donors in just five days.

Turner painted the dramatic landscape of Hotwells in Bristol when he was just 17.

But the purse was not large enough to secure the painting, with bidding starting at £180,000 and reaching £1 million in just over a minute. The gavel fell at £1.5 million plus commission.

“Sadly, in spite of the herculean efforts of the past few weeks, we were outbid at the auction this evening,” said the museum in a statement after the auction.

“Whilst we’re disappointed by this result, it’s by no means the end of the story. We will explore whether there may be an opportunity for the painting to be loaned to Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, in recognition of its link and history with the city.

“All money received through the Crowdfunder will be returned to those who donated. Inspired by the groundswell of support for our campaign, we are also working on plans to thank everyone who supported it and celebrate Turner’s relationship with Bristol.

“We currently hold four of JMW Turner watercolours in our collection, which due to their delicate nature have not been on display for 11 years.

“To mark 250 years since the birth of Turner and as a celebration of the generosity and enthusiasm that the people of Bristol and beyond have shown, we are planning to put these on public display later this year.”

Main image: Julia Carver curator, visual arts with Bring Turner Home sign in Bristol Museum – Strike Communications
Inset: Turner’s The-Rising-Squall – Sotheby’s