HSBC Turner watercolour to go on display at Fine Arts Museum

A watercolour of Grand Harbour, painted in 1830 by Turner, "the painter of light", is being loaned by HSBC to the Museum of Fine Arts for the Maltese to enjoy.

The loan was decided at a meeting between HSBC chief executive officer, Chris Hothersall, and Education Minister Louis Galea, at which they discussed ways in which HSBC could contribute more to the Maltese community.

London-born Joseph Mallord William Turner, 1775-1851, is perhaps the most famous English Romantic landscape artist. He was to open the way for a visionary anticipation of modern painting.

In pursuit of light and pure colour Turner anticipated the achievements of the French Impressionists and when Monet and Pissarro saw his work in London in 1870, they were greatly interested, although few of his truly impressionist sketches were shown at the time.

Turner's painting of Grand Harbour was commissioned by the engravers William and Edward Finden, and served as a basis for an engraving in a book, published by John Murray, on the life and travels of the poet Lord Byron, who visited Malta in 1809 and 1811.

"The Turner watercolour is one of the great artistic treasures depicting Malta, and HSBC feels that it should give the entire Maltese public the opportunity to enjoy it for a period of time. The bank's decision is an expression of HSBC's commitment to be an integral part of the local community and we are delighted with the positive response from the Ministry of Education to this initiative," said Mr Hothersall.

Since being completed, the painting has had at least 13 owners, including the renowned writer, art critic, scholar and collector John Ruskin, and Robert Durning Holt, who was Lord Mayor of Liverpool.

The painting came up for auction at Sotheby's in London on July 16, 1998, when the bank purchased it. Since then this famous painting has remained in Malta and will now be on display for the Maltese to enjoy.

Work has now begun at the Museum of Fine Arts in

Valletta to establish the right setting for the painting. Once this work is completed, the date when the Turner will go on view for the public will be announced.

"I would like to thank HSBC for this generous act which will give the Maltese public an opportunity to enjoy the great painting by one of England's most famous artists. It is my hope that other institutions, who also have prestigious works of art in their possession, will follow the example of HSBC and help towards ensuring a wider appreciation of the arts," said Dr Galea.