New sculpture for the Fitzwilliam

‘Large Blade Venus,’ an imposing bronze sculpture standing over 3m high, is the first work by Turnbull to enter the Museum’s collection and is displayed in the stunning new Courtyard area.

The piece, acquired for £141,000 from the artist, is being donated to the Museum in honour of The Art Fund’s former chairman, Sir Nicholas Goodison. Sir Nicholas and his wife have been significant donors to the Fitzwilliam through The Art Fund, adding over 70 pieces of contemporary craft to the Museum’s collection.

The internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor William Turnbull (b.1922) is the son of a Scottish shipyard engineer. His work has been the subject of major exhibitions at the Tate Gallery, London, in 1973 and at the Serpentine Gallery, London in 1995-96, as well as at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park last year.

Large Blade Venus is the largest sculpture in the Blade Venus series. Its imposingly elegant form derives from Japanese Samurai swords and Chinese chopping knives, but also recalls natural objects such as leaves, as well as archaic figures of Venus.

“I am delighted that The Art Fund is giving this marvellous sculpture to the Fitzwilliam Museum,” said Sir Nicholas. “We chose the Fitzwilliam as the recipient for this gift as we are keen to help the Museum develop its holdings of contemporary works of art, and hope to encourage others to do the same.”

Duncan Robinson, Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, added: “It would be difficult to think of a more appropriate way of honouring Sir Nicholas Goodison, whose admiration for Turnbull's work is well known. We are, of course, tremendously pleased that he nominated the Fitzwilliam Museum to receive this gift made by The Art Fund to recognise his years of distinguished service as their Chairman.”