The Fountain of Indolence

"The Fountain of Indolence" is a mesmerizing oil painting by the esteemed English artist J. M. W. Turner. First exhibited in 1834, this masterpiece is now housed at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. The painting brings to life a scene inspired by James Thomson's poem "The Castle of Indolence" showcasing an enchanting landscape embellished with Classical buildings and ruins, all centered around an entrancing fountain.

The painting's journey is almost as compelling as its visual splendor. After its initial exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1834, it eventually came into the possession of the prestigious Vanderbilt family. In 1958, Lord Beaverbrook acquired it for the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, significantly enriching the gallery's collection.

In 2004, a dispute arose between the Gallery and the Beaverbrook UK Foundation concerning the ownership of several paintings, including "The Fountain of Indolence." The Foundation intended to sell the painting, but a 2007 arbitration ruled that it rightfully belonged to the Gallery.

An intriguing mystery surrounds the painting's provenance. Records of its whereabouts between 1834 and 1882 are missing, leading some to speculate it might be synonymous with Turner's "The Fountain of Fallacy" which was exhibited in 1839. Contemporary descriptions and Turner's own correspondence hint at a possible connection between these two works.