Turner’s painting of Oxford High Street
TURNER’S painting of Oxford High Street should certainly be acquired by the Ashmolean Museum in view of its local interest.
One may hope that it will be joined later by the companion painting of a view of Oxford from the direction of Sunningwell, to where Turner’s uncle retired in 1802.
I have given the background to Turner’s long association with Oxford in my Brentford to Oxford (JMW Turner, RA Publications, 2010).
It is regrettable that the appeal which I spearheaded a few years ago, for Turner’s painting of Pope’s Villa at Twickenham, failed.
That was artistically more important and with a subject of equal national interest.
Dr SELBY WHITTINGHAM
Cromwell Rd, London SW5
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