In April 1804, Turner opened a gallery for the exhibition of his own work, at his house in Harley Street, London, opening it to the public most years, in spring or early summer, usually with a printed catalogue. This was extended in 1812, with an entrance from Queen Anne Street. Further enlargements led to a re-opening in 1822, but in subsequent years access seems to have been chiefly by arrangement. Some later accounts describe conditions of gloom and neglect, with rain dripping through the roof. Images of the gallery, painted from memory by George Jones, are in Wilton, Turner in his time, pls.291, 307.
Ruskin 's first visit was in 1841, and he would return many times while writing Modern Painters, recording a number of visits in his diary. 'Called on Turner, who was very gracious; wanted me excessively to have some wine, but ambiguous as to whether he would or would not part with any works in his gallery' ( Evans and Whitehouse, Diaries I, p.254; 12 December 1843). 'Delicious hour in Turner's gallery' is another typical diary entry ( Evans and Whitehouse, Diaries I, p.260; 14 January 1844).
In common with other visitors, Ruskin expressed his frustration at being able to see relatively little, and in increasingly cramped surroundings. Recording one visit with his father, on 28 April 1844, Ruskin 'said the worst of his pictures was one could never see enough of them. "That's part of their quality," said Turner.' ( Works, 3.251).
Ruskin must have had a good sight of some of the major paintings - such as Mercury and Argus, oil on canvas, exhibited Royal Academy 1836, ( Wilton P367), which he refers to many times in Modern Painters I - or taken notes on them, in order to furnish such detailed descriptions as that of the Avalanche and Inundation, exhibited Royal Academy 1837, Wilton P371 ( MP I:296).