Art / News
More than £100k raised in less than a week to bring masterpiece home
Thousands have been raised in only five days to bring a masterpiece painting of Bristol back to the city.
The painting, The Rising Squall, Hot Wells from St Vincent’s Rock, Bristol, was only attributed to the English painter JMW Turner in 2024, when his signature was discovered during cleaning.
Soon after, a crowdfunding campaign to ‘Bring Turner Home’ set off, with donors managing to reach more than the target amount in less than a week.
is needed now More than ever
Donors have already contributed to a total of £100,021, with four days remaining in the campaign spearheaded by the Bristol Museums Development Trust.
Turner turned the River Avon next to Hot Wells House into a wild sea – image: Sotheby’s
Head of culture and creative industries at the Bristol City Council, Philip Walker said this was their “most ambitious campaign” and that they were “humbled by the generosity and support people have shown”.
Donations ranged from £2 to £500, with every little pound adding up to bring the early depiction of Avon Gorge before the Clifton Suspension Bridge was built back to Bristol.
Kristin Thompson, an American admirer of Turner, who donated £500 to the campaign, said she hoped to visit Bristol someday to “see this important and beautiful painting on display”.
Senior curator of visual arts at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Kate Newnham said: “It’s overwhelming to have received such an incredible and positive response from the people of Bristol and beyond. It just goes to show the importance of access to art and culture to everyone.
“We are determined to do everything we can to bring this artwork back to Bristol and show everyone who has donated or shared our campaign that their support has made a difference.
“If we are successful in our bid, we can’t wait to throw open our doors and welcome everyone in to come and enjoy The Rising Squall for the first time in more than 150 years.”
If acquired, the painting is set to go on display in Bristol in summer 2025, before travelling to Tate Britain in London for the Turner and Constable exhibition in November.
Main photo: Catherine Frankpitt
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