When Henry Vaughan bequeathed a wonderful collection of 31 Turner watercolours to the National Gallery of Ireland in 1900, he stipulated that the works be exhibited only in the month of January, when the light is weakest and at its least harmful, writes Eleanor Fitzsimons.
The National Gallery has always adhered to this tradition, and as a result the works remain in pristine condition. The paintings, on show for just one more week, span the artists career and include exquisite examples from his Continental tours, depicting stunning vistas such as The Doges Palace in Venice (above), Lake Lucerne, and the fortresses at Bellinzona in Switzerland. Stay in the gallery afterwards to enjoy the exhibition of the paintings of Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1740-1808) and Northern Stars and Southern Lights: The Golden Age of Finnish Art1870-1920 in the Millennium Wing, both due to finish in early February. www.national gallery.ie.