For many visitors to Lake Como, the breathtaking scenery is unforgettable. The mountains, shimmering water and ever-changing light have inspired great writers, composers, musicians and artists for centuries.
But few visitors realize that one of Britain’s greatest painters found some of his most powerful inspiration right here.
This summer, Como city is hosting an exceptional art exhibition dedicated to J.M.W. Turner, bringing remarkable works from London’s Tate collection to Como until 27 September 2026.
The exhibition is spread across 3 locations in Como: Broletto, Como Art Museum (Pinacoteca), and a complementary modern art display at San Pietro in Atrio near San Fidele, exploring Turner’s relationship with Lake Como.
In my opinion the modern art display benefits from a guided visit.
Who was J.M.W. Turner?
If you pull out a British 20-pound note, you’ll find the face of Joseph Mallord William (J.M.W.) Turner.
Recognized across Europe as the undisputed “painter of light”, a Master of Romanticism and one of the greatest landscape painters. Turner’s radical brushstrokes paved the way for the dawn of modern impressionism.
While millions of tourists flock to Lake Como every year to snap the perfect lakeside selfie and walk along the lakeside, few realize that they are walking through the exact landscape that fundamentally revolutionized Turner’s vision, art and history.
A Rare Masterpiece Exhibition Docks in Como
Until September 27, 2026, Como hosts a historic art event: “Turner: The Enchantment of Lake Como and the Italian Landscape”. In an exclusive partnership with the prestigious Tate London, Turner’s original, priceless watercolors have returned to the very ground where they were born over two hundred years ago.
The exhibition spreads across 3 historic venues in Como city:
- Como Art Museum: Exploring how the light and topography of the region altered his style.
- Palazzo del Broletto: The medieval town hall showcasing intimate watercolors of Lake Como.
- San Pietro in Atrio: Hosting modern contemporary color art that bridges Turner’s legacy into the modern era.
The Allure and Mystery of Lake Como: What Did Turner See?
When Turner arrived at Lake Como as the high point of his Italian Grand Tour in 1819, he didn’t just see a postcard-perfect view. He saw a battlefield of elements—sudden mountain mists, dramatic atmospheric shifts, and water that dissolved architectural structures into pure, vibrating light.
Something deeply profound happened to Turner’s technique right here in Como. It altered the way he painted reflections, captured shadows, and manipulated color for the rest of his legendary career.
But how exactly did this Italian crossroads turn a traditional English landscape painter into a revolutionary master of the sublime? What secret details are hidden in those brushstrokes that the average tourist walks right past?
Don’t Just See Lake Como. Understand It.
To unlock the true story behind the canvases, international art lovers can bypass the standard tourist museum tags for an exclusive experience.
As a local Italian tour leader, I conducts private guided walking tours of the William Turner Art Exhibit in native English. This immersive 2-hour journey bridges the gap between Lake Como landscapes and British art history from romanticism to the dawn of impressionism.
“Most visitors think Como is just a transit hub to look at the water,” as I say “But Turner saw this city as an intellectual explosion of light, nature and history. In two hours, we don’t just look at paintings—we decode exactly how this lake changed the course of art history forever.”
Whether you are an art aficionado or a traveler looking to experience something far deeper than a surface-level visit, this limited-run tour is the ultimate key to Lake Como in Como city.
Contact me to book a guided visit.
200 EUR + per person / family museum fees