Modern British Art from the Hugo Burge Collection at Lyon & Turnbull
Modern British art from the private collection of the late entrepreneur, collector and philanthropist Hugo Burge (1972–2023) will be exhibited in public for the first time at Lyon & Turnbull, London, from 05 to 20 February, in partnership with the Hugo Burge Foundation.
Amongst his many collecting passions, Hugo had a particular love for modern British art and enjoyed living and working surrounded by the works in the exhibition, amongst others. Sculptures by artists including Kenneth Armitage, Denis Mitchell and Gerald Laing were placed on bookshelves, desks, tables and windowsills, with companion drawings by Barbara Hepworth, Bernard Meadows and Henry Moore hung on nearby walls. Works by William Turnbull and Lynn Chadwick also feature in the collection.
The restoration of a house in the Scottish Borders encouraged an interest in Scottish art, not least by former resident Rory McEwen, but also as seen in the work of John Bellany, Eduardo Paolozzi and William Turnbull. A love of nature meant that landscape paintings by the Scottish Colourists F. C. B. Cadell and S. J. Peploe held particular appeal. Links to the natural environment, even when abstracted, and an appreciation of natural materials encouraged the acquisition of work by Paul Feiler, and Plénitude d’Olivier, a rare wood carving by the Scottish Colourist John Duncan Fergusson.
Highlights of the exhibition include Robert Adams’ bronzed steel Screen Form (1962), Lynn Chadwick’s Winged Figure II Maquette (1959), F. C. B. Cadell’s The Blue Mountain (1920s), J. D. Fergusson’s highly polished Eástre (Hymn to the Sun) (1924/1991), and William Turnbull’s monumental painting 5-1963 (1963).
Hugo was an astute businessman, an enlightened collector and a tireless evangelist for the arts. His philanthropic endeavours are now continued by the Hugo Burge Foundation, established in 2021 and dedicated to supporting the arts, crafts and creative industries across the United Kingdom. One part of its mission is to inspire creativity through the experience of works formerly in Hugo’s private collection.
James Fox, Creative Director of the Hugo Burge Foundation, said:
“During his lifetime, Hugo Burge assembled one of the finest private collections of modern British art. This is the first time these rare and beautiful artworks are being seen together in public. The Hugo Burge Foundation is delighted to be working with Lyon & Turnbull on this exciting exhibition.”
Alice Strang, Senior Specialist in Modern & Contemporary Art at Lyon & Turnbull, commented:
“Hugo lovingly collected these beautiful works of modern British and modern Scottish art. We are delighted to partner with the Hugo Burge Foundation in bringing them together in an exhibition which is open to all. Hugo was a great believer in the joy that art can bring to everyone and we hope visitors will share in that joy.”
Exhibition Details
A Collector’s Passion: Modern British Art from the Hugo Burge Foundation Collection
Dates: 05–20 February 2026 | 10am–4pm daily (closed Sundays)
Location: Lyon & Turnbull, 22 Connaught Street, London W2 2AF
Admission: Free
Further information, including opening times:
https://www.lyonandturnbull.com/events/the-hugo-burge-foundation-collection
Images
Click here to view/download images relating to the exhibition.
About Lyon & Turnbull
Now in its 200th year, Lyon & Turnbull is one of the UK’s premier fine art and antiques auctioneers. The company’s venues in London and Glasgow complement its historic Georgian headquarters in Edinburgh. Hosting over 50 specialist auctions per year across the UK, Lyon & Turnbull offers a wide range of categories, from jewellery and watches to fine furniture; traditional British and European art to Modern & Contemporary works; and European decorative arts and design to fine Asian art from China and Japan.
www.lyonandturnbull.com
About the Hugo Burge Foundation
The Hugo Burge Foundation is a major charity dedicated to supporting the arts, crafts and creative industries across the United Kingdom.
The Foundation provides grants for Creative Education, Creative Communities and Individual Artists. It also offers free studios, support and workspaces in the Scottish Borders through its Springboard Studio programme, alongside more than 20 funded residencies each year.
Working with schools, charities and educational institutions, the Foundation increases young people’s access to creative learning and supports apprenticeships in traditional crafts. The public is welcomed to attend events, courses and workshops, and to find inspiration in the Foundation’s Common Room and walled gardens in the Scottish Borders.
