Venice.... on the wall

Turner was perhaps the most prolific and innovative of all British artists and his skills have been much admired ever since his lifetime. The Scottish National Gallery has a collection of 38 Turner watercolours which were bequeathed in 1899 by English collector Henry Vaughan (1809-1899). Vaughan's bequest is renowned for providing the perfect introduction to Turner's career and features a number of beautiful watercolours of Venice.

J M W Turner was born in London, the son of a barber and wig-maker, and soon proved himself as an accomplished topographical draughtsman.

In 1802 he made his first journey to Europe. He was to return in 1817, after the end of the Napoleonic wars, and from then on made annual visits across the Channel for much of the rest of his life. These journeys were usually undertaken in the summer and included explorations of the great rivers of northern Europe, as well as excursions into Italy.

This has been on the office wall for some time - and I was reminded it was there because my colleague, Lisa, has just returned from holiday in that amazingly beautiful city.