New £20 note to feature signature held at The National Archives

25 Apr 2016 11:52 AM

Landscaper painter, JMW Turner, has been unveiled as the new face of the £20 note – and the artist’s signature included on the note has come straight from The National Archives.

The Bank of England made the announcement recently that Turner’s portrait will replace that of economist, Adam Smith, with the note expected to be in circulation by 2020.

The artist died in December 1851, aged 76, and was known as one of the greatest masters of British watercolour painting. The prestigious Turner Prize was named in his honour.

Turner’s signature on the new note was taken from his will which is held at The National Archives.

The will – and signature – can be downloaded or viewed online. The original is catalogued under PROB 1/96 at The National Archives.