Turner's earliest exhibited oil painting is up for auction after disappearing for 150 years
Lost for over 150 years, one of JMW Turner's earliest oil paintings is about to go on display at London's Sotheby's before being auctioned.
Titled 'The Rising Squall, Hot Wells, from St Vincent's Rock, Bristol', it depicts a dramatic stormy scene engulfing Hot Wells House in Bristol, UK - as seen from the east bank of the River Avon, where the Clifton Suspension Bridge now sits.
Painted by Turner when he was just 17 years old, it is now believed to be the artist's earliest exhibited oil painting, having been displayed at the Royal Academy exhibition in 1793.
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Its last public appearance was in 1858, at an exhibition in Tasmania, before disappearing into private collections for over a century and a half. Upon being rediscovered last year, Turner's signature was revealed during the restoration process.
'Its reemergence now allows viewers and scholars alike to appreciate the startling ambition of this great artist at such an early moment in his career, by which stage he is already demonstrating a level of confidence and competency in oil painting far beyond what was previously known,' a press release states.
The painting will go on public display at Sotheby's in London from 28 June to 1 July 2025, ahead of being auctioned for an estimated value of £200,000-300,000 (approx. €237,544 to €356,316).
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The auction also coincides with the 250th anniversary of Turner's birth, as various exhibitions and events across the UK - including London's Tate, National Gallery and the Turner Contemporary - celebrate the artist's legacy.
Considered one of the world's most influential 18th-century artists, Turner was a key figure within Romanticism and best known for his dramatic landscapes, ambient with bold colour and tumultuous skies.
While 'The Rising Squall' had previously been referenced in obituaries, it was mistaken as a watercolour and therefore excluded from the first catalogue of Turner's exhibited oil paintings.
Based on a drawing from the artist's earliest sketchbook and a watercolour, both of which are currently held at the Tate Britain, the artwork is believed to have been first acquired by, and possibly painted for, Reverend Robert Nixon - a friend and early supporter of Turner's.
Before now, experts considered Turner's earliest exhibited oil painting to be the 'Fisherman at Sea', displayed at the Royal Academy in 1796.
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Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Turner's earliest exhibited oil painting is up for auction after disappearing for 150 years
Lost for over 150 years, one of JMW Turner's earliest oil paintings is about to go on display at London's Sotheby's before being auctioned. Titled 'The Rising Squall, Hot Wells, from St Vincent's Rock, Bristol', it depicts a dramatic stormy scene engulfing Hot Wells House in Bristol, UK - as seen from the east bank of the River Avon, where the Clifton Suspension Bridge now sits. Painted by Turner when he was just 17 years old, it is now believed to be the artist's earliest exhibited oil painting, having been displayed at the Royal Academy exhibition in 1793. Related More than 200 items from Princess Diana's wardrobe go up for auction Its last public appearance was in 1858, at an exhibition in Tasmania, before disappearing into private collections for over a century and a half. Upon being rediscovered last year, Turner's signature was revealed during the restoration process. 'Its reemergence now allows viewers and scholars alike to appreciate the startling ambition of this great artist at such an early moment in his career, by which stage he is already demonstrating a level of confidence and competency in oil painting far beyond what was previously known,' a press release states. The painting will go on public display at Sotheby's in London from 28 June to 1 July 2025, ahead of being auctioned for an estimated value of £200,000-300,000 (approx. €237,544 to €356,316). Related David Lynch auction: More than 450 personal items go under the hammer The auction also coincides with the 250th anniversary of Turner's birth, as various exhibitions and events across the UK - including London's Tate, National Gallery and the Turner Contemporary - celebrate the artist's legacy. Considered one of the world's most influential 18th-century artists, Turner was a key figure within Romanticism and best known for his dramatic landscapes, ambient with bold colour and tumultuous skies. While 'The Rising Squall' had previously been referenced in obituaries, it was mistaken as a watercolour and therefore excluded from the first catalogue of Turner's exhibited oil paintings. Based on a drawing from the artist's earliest sketchbook and a watercolour, both of which are currently held at the Tate Britain, the artwork is believed to have been first acquired by, and possibly painted for, Reverend Robert Nixon - a friend and early supporter of Turner's. Before now, experts considered Turner's earliest exhibited oil painting to be the 'Fisherman at Sea', displayed at the Royal Academy in 1796.


New York Post
14 hours ago
- New York Post
Theresa Nist fires back at ‘Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner's claim they divorced over his cancer
Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner's journey came to an end — but not because of his health battle. The reality star who found love with Turner on Season 1 of 'The Golden Bachelor' revealed that the pair 'absolutely' didn't split over his cancer diagnosis. 'It was a zero factor, zero. Absolutely. I was just so surprised that he even said that,' Nist said on Thursday's episode of 'The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast.' 'I knew about the cancer a long time ago. And the way Gary presented it to me was that, 'The doctor said that I'm going to die of old age before this cancer gets to me.'' Advertisement 5 Theresa Nist speaks about about her marriage to Gerry Turner ending. almost_famouspodcast/Instagram 'He bluffed it off, like it really wasn't that important,' she continued. 'And he had no symptoms, and he still doesn't. So we never had a conversation that said, 'Oh my gosh, you're sick. I can't stay with you now. I have to leave.' That never happened.' Turner and Nist first got engaged at the end of 2023 on the show before saying 'I do' on a TV special in January 2024. But by April of that year, the exes announced in an interview with 'Good Morning America' that they were divorcing. Advertisement 5 Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner. Disney via Getty Images In December 2024, Turner revealed he had been diagnosed with a blood cell cancer, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, claiming it played into their split. The reality star also noted that he and Nist each wanted to live close to their families in different states. 'When you are hit with that kind of news and the shock wears off after a few days or a few weeks and you regroup and you realize what's important to you, that's where you start to move forward,' Turner told People. 'And I hope that people understand in retrospect now that that had a huge bearing on my decisions and I think probably Theresa's as well.' Advertisement 5 Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner cuddle in bed. goldengerryturner/Instagram 'They interviewed him the day before they interviewed me,' Nist continued on the podcast. 'And right before my interview, they contacted me, and they said, 'Hey, we want to talk to you right now, because Gerry just came out and said that his illness was the reason you broke up.' And I go, 'What?' I said, 'No, it wasn't that.' There was zero conversation about that being in it.' Although, at the time, the New Jersey resident felt maybe Turner believed what he was saying. 'If that was the reason, it was in his mind only, never discussed as a reason. He said it was a factor that weighed heavily into my decision. And I would imagine Theresa's, too,' Nist confessed. 'He just imagined. But it had nothing to do with it. Nothing. I would have never left my husband over in illness. I stayed with my husband, Billy. I mean, for years he was sick, and he passed away at home. He was in hospice. I mean, it was really pretty bad. But I would never leave … That's just not me. That wouldn't happen.' Advertisement 5 Gerry Turner with his new partner. goldengerryturner/Instagram Turner, meanwhile, revealed in April, per TMZ, that he's dating a retired school teacher named Lana, who also lives in Indiana. 'I really am happy for him,' Nist, who's also dating, stated. 'And if he had to find his person by going this circuitous route, then he did, then it was successful. He found someone that really suits him, and that's wonderful. So I think it worked out the way it was supposed to work out.' In September, the finance whiz made it clear she had no hard feelings toward Turner. 'So Gerry and I have spoken,' Nist exclusively told The Post in September 2024. 'We don't speak regularly. I would say I wish him all the best, and I can see that he has so many friends, and I'm so happy for him that he does.' 5 Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist on their wedding day. Disney 'I truly hope he finds his person,' she added, 'because he wants that, and he deserves that, and I'm rooting for him. I'm in his corner.' At the time, Nist shared what she was looking for in her perfect suitor. Advertisement 'Sense of humor,' she detailed. 'Let's laugh together. Smart. Somebody smart. And then I have to be physically attracted to the person, so there has to be chemistry. And that's something that you can not define, it's undefinable. You just either are attracted to someone, or you're not.' Nist noted, 'It's just the ability to have fun together and to support each other, make each other laugh, and have each other's backs.'


USA Today
18 hours ago
- USA Today
Theresa Nist slams 'Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner's claim cancer contributed to split
Theresa Nist slams 'Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner's claim cancer contributed to split Show Caption Hide Caption Watch: ABC 'Golden Bachelor' divorce reveal, Al Roker's reaction On ABC, "Golden Bachelor" stars Gerry and Theresa announced their divorce, after marrying in January. On NBC, Al Roker reacted. Theresa Nist is hitting back at claims her "Golden Bachelor" marriage tarnished because of Gerry Turner's cancer diagnosis. Nist, who appeared in 2023's inaugural season of the "Bachelor" franchise highlighting elder contestants in their golden years, addressed her ex's claims that the couple split once Turner found out he had cancer. Turner, the first "Golden Bachelor," proposed to and married Nist in a live televised wedding on ABC in January 2024 – but their relationship was over by April 2024, and the couple at the time said a decision of where to settle down contributed to their divorce, which was finalized that June. Turner, 73, in December revealed his terminal cancer diagnosis of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a bone marrow cancer and type of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and suggested their split was connected to his health bombshell. Nist, 71, at the time denied "a factor in the ending of the relationship, at least not for me," in an interview with People, and she's doubling down on her shock at Turner's claims. 'Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner says cancer diagnosis factored into Theresa Nist divorce "I was just so surprised that he even said that I knew about the cancer a long time ago," she said on the June 5 episode of the "Almost Famous Podcast" with Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti. "The way Gerry presented it to me was that, 'The doctor said that I'm going to die of old age before this cancer gets to me.' He bluffed it off, like it really wasn't that important, and he had no symptoms, and he still doesn't." 'Golden Bachelor' breakup bombshell: Look back at Gerry Turner, Theresa Nist's romance She added, "I would have never left my husband over an illness." While Turner previously told People magazine that his health announcement "probably will clear up a lot of mystery around what happened back in February, March and April" during the couple's choice to split, Nist denied that their relationship was affected in that way because of Turner's cancer. "We never had a conversation that said, 'Oh my gosh, you're sick. I can't stay with you now. I have to leave.' That never happened," she said on the podcast. Nist also suggested Turner wanted "empathy" from "Bachelor" fans. "Did he want empathy from the public?" she questioned. "I was angry that he would say something like that, but then I am such an understanding person, and I can put myself easily in someone else's shoes. So I tried to see it from his perspective, and I thought, 'OK, if that's in his mind, then I guess that's how he sees it.' Everyone has their own perception of what happened."