J.M.W. Turner Self-Portrait circa 1799 Collection: Tate Britain

The first ever exhibition of artworks by one of Britain’s most famous artists J.M.W. Turner opens today at the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) in Beijing.

Comprising 112 oil paintings and works on paper loaned from Tate Britain, the exhibition spans the breadth of Turner’s career and includes some of his most famous paintings.

The exhibition is organised by the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy), Tate Britain and the National Art Museum of China and will be open to the public from 24 April to 28 June.

Sixty years ago the famous Chinese painter and art educator Xu Beihong put forth the hope that Turner’s works would be exhibited in China. Now, with the support of the UK and Chinese governments, a Turner exhibition in China has finally come to fruition - a momentous occasion in UK-China cultural relations.

Works exhibited include: Early period: Fishermen at Sea (exhibited 1796), Battle of Trafalgar (1806-8) Middle period: Snow Storm: Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps (exhibited 1812), The Decline of the Carthaginian Empire (exhibited 1817), Battle of Waterloo (exhibited 1818), The Lake, Petworth, Sunset (circa 1828) Late period: famous works focusing on light effects and indistinct outlines such as The Burning of the Houses of Parliament (exhibited1834), Snow Storm (1842), Light and Colour (Goethe's Theory) - the Morning after the Deluge (exhibited 1843), Rough Sea (circa 1844-6), Norham Castle, Sunrise (circa 1845). As a result of the last painting, academics have hailed Turner as a pioneer of Impressionism. The exhibition is jointly curated by Tate Britain’s Ian Warrell, and Xu Hong, Deputy Director of the Curatorial and Research Department at NAMOC. The exhibition is divided into 5 parts: 1. Foundations, 2. Britain at War and Peace, 3. The Triumph of Colour, 4. Birth of a Modernist: Outdoor Sketches, and 5. Into the Light. This chronology illustrates for visitors the different stages in Turner’s painting and artistic philosophy.

Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council, who is in China to open the exhibition said: “I am proud of this partnership and, in particular, the role that British Council has played to bring one of the UK’s most important artists to China. This exhibition forms part of our wider approach to building understanding between our countries and, as the cultural relationship between China and the UK continues to flourish, I know that the future holds enormously exciting opportunities for further collaboration between us in the arts and creative industries.”

Stephen Deuchar, Director of Tate Britain said: “The Turner exhibition in China is a momentous event and the outcome of several years of fruitful discussion with our colleagues at NAMOC. We are delighted that thousands of people in China will now have the opportunity to experience the power and the subtlety of these works by one of the great masters of Western art”.

Fan Di'an, Director of NAMOC, speaks highly of the Turner exhibition coming to Beijing. He says: “J.M.W. Turner set a precedent for European modern painting with his concept and painting style. Chinese artists and the general public alike are eagerly anticipating this great opportunity to see the works from Tate Britain’s Turner collection here in Beijing. NAMOC will make every effort to contribute to the tremendous success of this exhibition, including the provision of a comprehensive public education programme and a range of academic activities in conjunction with the exhibition.”

The British Council has a strong recent history in bringing great British art to China. In the last decade it has shown: Henry Moore in 2000-01, Antony Gormley: Asian Field in 2003, and Aftershock, an exhibition selected by Chinese curators which introduced a young generation of British artists, including Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Mark Wallinger, to a Chinese audience in 2006-07.

An education programme including public lectures by well-known art critics, university student visits and seminars, and activities for families and students will be held at NAMOC during the exhibition.