Turner’s Vision at Petworth: Light, Landscape, and Legacy

A golden evening in West Sussex, a grand country house, and the enduring power of J.M.W. Turner’s light. Visiting Petworth for a preview of the new exhibition Turner’s Vision at Petworth, which further cements the historical association between artist and house.

I was here as a +1 of In the English Style, the influential journal of architecture, interiors, and country life. The occasion was a private preview of Turner’s Vision at Petworth, an exhibition marking 250 years since Turner’s birth, held at one of the houses he knew best.

My interest in Turner wasn’t academic. Like many Gents of a certain age, I was drawn back to Turner by that famous scene in Skyfall. It encouraged fresh visits to the National Gallery in London and a better understanding of one of England’s most celebrated artists.

Turner at Petworth

Turner was no stranger to Petworth. He returned often throughout the 1820s and 30s, welcomed by the 3rd Earl of Egremont — a generous patron of the arts and collector of British painting at a time when it was still carving out its identity. Other artists passed through as well, including Constable and C.R. Leslie, but it was Turner who left the deepest impression.

What made Petworth different was the freedom it offered. This wasn’t a formal commission behind closed doors or a rushed visit to sketch a façade. Turner was given time — space to walk the grounds, study the light, and let his work unfold at his own pace. The Earl, unusually enlightened in these matters, encouraged it.

Their collaboration resulted in four major landscapes, painted for the Carved Room, each capturing a different facet of the estate and its surroundings. These remain in situ for house visitors to see today.

Inside the Exhibition: Turner’s Vision at Petworth

This new exhibition, which runs until 16th November 2025, offers a dedicated gallery to showcase some rarely seen Turner paintings alongside smaller, more experimental studies — many with direct connections to Petworth House. Compared to the vast galleried rooms of the house, this space felt more intimate, allowing you to get close and appreciate the mastery of his work.

On display are more than 20 rarely seen pieces, including oil paintings and works on paper, on loan from Tate and several private lenders. Together, they offer a fascinating insight into Turner’s artistic approach — his experiments with colour, materials, and technique — as well as his relationship with Petworth and its owner, George O’Brien Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont. A new map of the Petworth grounds highlights where Turner might have stood to capture some of the views now on show.

I should say here — I don’t claim to be an art expert. I can’t explain all the intricacies of Turner’s technique, but there are plenty of knowledgeable National Trust guides who helped me — and can help you — appreciate the skill behind what’s on display.

Of the new works in the exhibition, my favourite was Petworth, Sussex, the Seat of the Earl of Egremont: Dewy Morning — a large oil that frames the house without making it the main subject. Instead, the focus is atmospheric, with broad water, glowing light, and a cluster of boats on the lake. This was Turner’s first commission from the Earl, painted in 1809, and rarely shown in public.

Dewy Morning

A smaller watercolour, Deer Grazing on a Ridge in Petworth Park at Sunset, focused on the sweep of sky, with small deer dotted across the hillside like brush marks.

Deer Grazing

The Petworth Art Collection

This was my first visit to Petworth. When you park in the village and walk through the grounds, there’s little hint of the scale waiting inside. With an art collection that rivals any major gallery, Petworth’s rooms are filled with works by Bosch, Titian, Van Dyck, Reynolds, and Blake.

Admiring the art at Petworth

In the Carved Room — named for the intricate woodwork by Grinling Gibbons — you’ll find four of Turner’s original paintings, still hanging where they were first installed.

The Carved Room

These works, combined with the new exhibition, make Petworth a must-visit for any art lover this summer.

Visiting Petworth

This exhibition is £10 admission per adult, £5 per child, under-5s go free. Admission fees apply to National Trust members — so even if you’re a member, this is extra. No pre-booking required.

The village of Petworth can get busy, so plan ahead for parking, either at the house or in one of the town’s car parks. The house is a short walk from the centre, with access through the church entrance.

Exhibition dates: 21 June – 16 November 2025

Address: Petworth House, Petworth, GU28 9LR

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/petworth/turners-vision-at-petworth