The Turner Society was founded in 1975 and has members worldwide. It is devoted to furthering the appreciation and understanding of the art of Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), who was not only Britain’s greatest painter but arguably the finest landscape and marine painter ever.

Turner was enormously prolific, producing some 550 oil paintings, over 2,000 highly detailed and finely finished watercolours, and some 30,000 works on paper. His bequest to the nation is without doubt the greatest artistic legacy ever bestowed upon the United Kingdom (it is housed in Tate Britain, London, except for a few key works kept at the National Gallery).

The Society regularly mounts lectures and informal talks given by the world’s leading experts on the painter; it organises out-of-hours viewings of important public exhibitions of his work, as well as visits to the Study Room at Tate Britain where the Turner Bequest works on paper are held; and it arranges trips to see private collections that include works by Turner. In addition, it publishes a fine magazine, Turner Society News, which goes to all members twice a year, and it works tirelessly to deepen awareness of the range and power of Turner’s astonishing genius.

We hope you will join us.

Our Half-Yearly Magazine

“If I could find anything blacker than black I’d use it.”

J.M.W. Turner

BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images

The Turner Society offers a yearly programme of events. These include lectures by leading experts on the artist; visits to the Clore Gallery for the Turner Collection in London; and trips to important private collections not generally open to the public.

Please note these events are only open to members of the Turner Society and their guests. If you wish to become a member click here.

Society Events

Visit to the British Museum Prints & Drawings Study Room followed by a Reception at Abbott & Holder

11 July 2025

The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

Francesca Kaes, Curator, will introduce a wide-ranging selection of drawings and watercolours by Turner from the Museum’s outstanding collection, the product of several generous bequests from discerning private collectors such as George Salting (in 1910) and R.W. Lloyd (in 1958). Many of these are superb finished watercolours.

Summer Reception at Turner’s House, Twickenham, and visit to the exhibition ‘Turner’s Kingdom: Beauty, Birds and Beasts’ with a talk by its curator, Nicola Moorby

19 August 2025

40 Sandycoombe Road, Twickenham TW1 2LR

This is the first exhibition in a generation devoted to animals and birds painted by Turner. Feathers, fins and fur are not subject matter usually associated with Britain’s greatest landscape painter but Turner was enchanted by the colours and characters of creatures he encountered during his lifetime.

Visit to the Prints & Drawings Room at the Clore Gallery for the Turner Collection to hear James Hamilton speak on ‘More that unites than divides. Some common endeavours of Turner and Constable illustrated with works on paper at Tate Britain’

24 September 2025

Prints and Drawings Room, Clore Gallery for the Turner Collection, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG

James Hamilton is the author of many books and catalogues, including acclaimed biographies of both Turner and Constable, a Vice-President of the Turner Society and a frequent contributor to TSN.