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07
Sept
Ripon gallery recognises world-famous artist's Kirkgate work
Ripon art gallery owners David and Becky Stead have unveiled a plaque dedicated to world-famous artist Joseph Mallord William Turner, in recognition of his work in the city.
The couple opened on Kirkgate in 2001 at a location next to the place where Turner began a sketch of the ancient street.
Mr Stead, who is an authority on the English Romantic artist’s northern works, told the Stray Ferret:
Turner's 1797 sketch of Kirkgate
With our fascination in Turner’s prolific portfolio of sketches and paintings and our 25th anniversary of trading on Kirkgate coming up next year, we could think of no better way of celebrating our landmark, than by recognising the fact that Turner's name will always be associated with this historic Ripon street.
It’s mind blowing to think that in 1797, as part of his tour of the north of England, he spent time here capturing the view looking down Kirkgate towards the west front of the cathedral.
The plaque now in place at the David Stead Gallery
Accomplished artist Mr Stead, who has lectured on Turner’s works, added:
Turner was aged 22 when he first came to Yorkshire at the invitation of Edward Lascelles of Harewood House and the trip turned into an eight-week tour of the north of England, taking in many of its most iconic sights, including Bamburgh Castle, Durham, Rievaulx Abbey and of course Ripon Cathedral.
The Kirkgate sketch is fascinating to me, because it is a amalgam of different views of the street.
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