 | Museum of Richmond Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey TW9 1TP Tel: 020 8332 1141  Email: museumofrichmond@btconnect.com |  |
Turner upon Thames
| The English landscape painter Joseph Mallord William Turner began sketching and painting in and around Richmond in 1805, when he rented a riverside house (Syon Ferry House) in Old Isleworth. He appears to have continued to work from there until about 1812, when he began to build Solus Lodge (later renamed Sandycombe Lodge) in the St Margarets area of Twickenham. It is thought that he designed the villa himself and may have been influenced by his friend, the architect, Sir John Soane. The present owner, Professor Harold Livermore, has set up the Sandycombe Trust with the intention of preserving the house for the nation, and a linked organisation, The Friends of Turner's House, focus their activities on Sandycombe Lodge and the work of Turner in the area. The Turner-upon-Thames exhibition includes copies of pencil drawings by Turner of the proposed elevation and plan for his villa. Of particular interest are the copies of little known Turner drawings and watercolours of the local scene. To become a member of the Friends of Turner's House and for information on the current programme of lectures and events, please contact Ann Halliday, Yelveton Cottage, 255 Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 2NN with s.a.e. and cheque for £5.00 made out to 'The Friends of Turner's House'. | ||
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