One painting. One city. One week.

Beth Cutter, Development Manager

An Update

Despite an incredible effort, we were outbid at auction. 

In just one week, over 1,700 of you raised an amazing £109,120 through a public Crowdfunder to help bring Turner’s The Rising Squall back to Bristol. 

The Crowdfunder was further supported by significant commitments from Art Fund, the Friends of Bristol Museums Galleries & Archives, Bristol Museums Development Trust, the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and private individual donors. We would also like to thank the members of The Turner Society and other Turner enthusiasts for their generosity and support for our campaign. 

Thanks to this amazing support, we were able to go to auction with a substantial bid. It’s been an extraordinary show of public pride, passion for art and belief in Bristol’s cultural story. 

Whilst we were outbid at auction, this isn’t the end. We’re exploring whether the painting could still come to the city on loan, and we are planning a celebration of Turner’s connection to Bristol. 

Later this year, we’ll display four Turner watercolours from our collection, not seen publicly in over a decade due to their delicate nature, as a tribute to everyone who supported the campaign. 

Thank you to everyone who supported, donated and shared, this campaign was only possible because of you. 

All donations are currently being refunded. Thank you to the many of you who have contacted us to offer your donation to support our work across the city which includes caring for our diverse collections, engaging with young people and our communities, hosting events and exhibitions and sharing the cultural heritage of Bristol. If you would like to, you can re-donate your contribution to support our ongoing work.

Background

Bristol had just one week to raise £100,000 to help secure a lost masterpiece by one of Britain’s greatest artists and bring it home where it belongs. 

In June, we became aware of the forthcoming sale of an early JMW Turner oil painting titled The Rising Squall, Hot Wells from St Vincent’s Rock, Bristol. Painted in 1792, it shows a dramatic scene of a turbulent shore with waves crashing against it and tells an important moment in the city’s history.  

The Rising Squall, Hot Wells from St Vincent’s Rock, Bristol (1792) Image credit: Sotheby’s