Now he's known as the nations' greatest painter and, some of Turner's finest work has been brought together for a unique exhibition in Sussex.
It was a county that was very special to him - and now his finest views of the area are being seen together for the first time.
It's taking place at Petworth House - a place that not only inspired him, but became his rural retreat. Stacey Poole reports and speaks to Andrew Loukes, House and Collections Manager.
The 40 paintings include some at Tate Britain, the British Museum and in the hands of private and regional owners. On display from Jan 12th to March 13th at Petworth's newly-refurbished exhibition gallery, the works will include a pencil sketch & painting of Petworth House made by Turner in 1809.
The exhibition will also display views of Sussex towns Arundel, Ashburnham, Rye and Hastings as well as rarely-seen works portraying Brighton, Chichester, Lewes & Shoreham.Turner, who lived from 1775 to 1851, was a frequent visitor to Petworth House where some of his work is on permanent display.
– Andy Loukes, house & collections manager at Petworth House and the curator of the Turner's Sussex exhibitionThe volume and range of subject matter which inspired Turner in Sussex was extraordinary and it's extremely exciting to bring so many examples together at Petworth
8,000 ducks made, not actually from rubber but jesmonite, have had to be captured before they drifted too far out to sea.
Corinne Felgate's art installation in Margate was commissioned by the Tate Gallery as part of its Turbine Generation Project.
As the region's beaches brimmed with bathers last week, thousands of rubber "feathered friends" flocked to Fulsam Rock in Margate.
Corinne Felgate's Nature Nurture installation featured 8,000 ducks made by the public, and was commissioned by the Tate Gallery as part of its Turbine Generation Project.
The ducks were not actually rubber, but jesmonite, and bio-degradable. They were captured before they drifted too far out to sea.
Tracey Emin's admitted her exhibition in her home town of Margate does not have the "shock factor". It explores love, sex and romanticism.
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Tracey Emin's first major solo exhibition opens tomorrow at the Turner Contemporary. Emin grew up in Margate.
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