The annual Turner in January exhibition at the National Gallery of Scotland runs for another couple of weeks ending as it must on 31 January.
The exhibition takes place each year in accordance with the wishes of the Henry Vaughan Bequest that the Turners are shown for January only when the light is at its lowest. Following Vaughan’s strict guidelines, they have only ever been displayed during the month of January, when natural light levels are at their lowest. Because of this, these watercolours still possess a freshness and an intensity of colour almost 200 years since they were originally created.
The 38 watercolours by Joseph Mallory William Turner are shown in a free annual display at the National Galleries Scotland – the National at The Mound.
Signalling the dawning of the New Year the brightness of the works is one of the best ways of combatting the darkness of the January days.
There are watercolours of moody landscapes, city views and dramatic seascapes. The exhibition invites viewers to take a world trip from Britain to the Himalayas.
Charlotte Topsfield, Senior Curator of British Drawings and Prints at National Galleries of Scotland said: “After a year of celebrations for Turner’s 250th birthday and the huge excitement of the exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland in January 2025, we are so pleased to be showing Scotland’s Vaughan Turners and honouring Henry Vaughan’s bequest once again. We hope visitors will enjoy seeing familiar friends and find new inspiration in Turner’s glorious colour and light.”
Turner in January is supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and the Postcode Culture Trust. Turner in January is a free National Galleries of Scotland exhibition opening to the public at 12pm on Thursday 1 January 2026.
All images © Stewart Attwood Photography 2025.
