Part of the Institutional Archives
On the 25th January 1900, the Governors and Guardians of the National Gallery of Ireland convened for their first meeting of the new year. At this meeting, they discussed the Will of Mr. Henry Vaughan, a well-known British art collector who had passed away the previous year. In his Will, Mr. Vaughan bequeathed the Gallery a collection of watercolours by painter and watercolourist J.M.W Turner.
These works were offered on the condition that;
"they be exhibited to the public all at one time free of charge during the month of January"
Click on the image below to explore the full minutes from this meeting.
On this page, you will see other stipulations mentioned in Henry Vaughan's Will; the drawings must be displayed free of charge, all at one time and kept in a specified cabinet when not on display.
The National Gallery of Ireland accepted these conditions and these watercolours have formed part of our collection ever since. They are displayed each January, in line with Vaughan's wishes.
The drawings are on display in the exhibition Turner as Inspiration, closing 31st January 2026.
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