About Us

In 1939 the chief Turner scholar of the day, A.J. Finberg, wrote “We are not a dishonest

nation.  When we do wrong, it is generally through want of imagination, from a narrow

or mistaken view of our duties, or from our readiness to adopt half-measures and

temporary expedients … We have undertaken to keep Turner’s Bequest together as a

collection of his works, and to house them permanently in a separate gallery.  Our

responsibilities in this matter have been clearly defined and recognized by the highest

judicial authority.  Successive Governments have pledged the nation’s honour to carry

out those obligations.  And I firmly believe that every honest man would prefer to see

those obligations complied with rather than evaded.”*

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We are still very far from achieving that aim.

 

The (Old) Turner Society was founded in 1975 by Selby Whittingham with support from

Henry Moore, Lord Clark of Saltwood, Sir John Betjeman and Sir Hugh Casson

amongst others to campaign for a proper Turner Gallery, which would do justice to

Turner’s wishes for that and to Turner’s status today.  However in 1981 it was bounced

into endorsing the wholly inadequate Clore Gallery wing of the Tate, the pretensions of which to meet Turner’s wishes, to reunite his bequest and to show that to its best advantage, were utterly bogus. The “Old” (by some now known as “The Pussycats”) Society has become dependent on the goodwill and handouts of the Tate, which does not even keep to the

promises which it made for the Clore Gallery, but treats its part of the still divided Turner Bequest not

as a permanent gallery but as a resource to be exploited as suits it best.

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There is a need for a society truly independent of the bodies concerned only to maintain the status

quo, one which is capable of pressing for justice for Turner and his public and of presenting the

undiluted facts.

 

Since 1988 J.M.W.Turner, R.A., Publications have produced newly researched information on aspects

of Turner’s  bequests, his family, his  topographical associations, the appreciation of his work by John

Ruskin and  others. 

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In 1990 we organised an international conference in Paris on The Artist’s Museum.  We have got the

statue of Turner in St Paul’s Cathedral  restored and promoted the scientific study of his portraits. We have celebrated annually the anniversary of Turner’s birth and have held commemorations of his death in St Paul’s Cathedral and stimulated among English localities awareness of their Turner connections.  Support is needed for this work to continue, and the Independent Turner Society’s aim is to provide that, while also organising occasional events, such as lectures, visits and walks.

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The purpose of this website is to share knowledge and enthusiasm about Turner, and to build support the Gallery his genius so richly deserves.

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*The Life of J.M.W.Turner, R.A.  See Selby Whittingham, An Historical Account of The Will of J.M.W. Turner, R.A., for a fuller and more precise account of the obligations.