Art lovers and history enthusiasts alike will have a rare opportunity to explore one of the most compelling rivalries in art history with Exhibition on Screen’s Turner and Constable, coming to the Lincoln Theater big screen Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20. Directed by David Bickerstaff, this new documentary celebrates the 250th anniversary of the births of J. M. W. Turner and John Constable offering intimate views of sketchbooks, personal artifacts, and working methods, alongside insights from leading scholars and curators.

Born within a year of each other, Turner and Constable transformed landscape painting in profoundly different ways. Through exclusive and privileged access to the groundbreaking exhibition at Tate Britain, Exhibition on Screen’s documentary brings viewers face-to-face with masterpieces displayed side-by-side, illuminating their rivalry and shared legacy. Turner was known for his blazing sunsets, turbulent seas, and atmospheric scenes, pushing the boundaries of painting toward emotion, movement, and near abstraction. Constable, by contrast, found inspiration observing depictions of the English countryside, including beloved scenes of Suffolk’s rivers, mills, and cloud-filled skies, celebrating rural life with a deep sense of place, memory, and pastoral nostalgia.

During their lifetimes, the public and critics alike were captivated by their starkly different approaches. Constable was seen as the master of realism and tradition, while Turner emerged as a bold innovator, anticipating modern art. Reviewers of the era famously described their opposing styles as a clash of “fire and water,” a rivalry that energized audiences and helped redefine what landscape painting could be. The documentary reveals unexpected connections as well as sharp contrasts, inviting viewers to reconsider two towering figures whose influence continues to shape art today.

Looking ahead, Lincoln Theater will continue its Exhibition on Screen series with “Frida Kahlo,” playing May 28 and 29, exploring her life, art, and enduring legacy. The documentary offers intimate access to her works, her home, and her studio while revealing the passion, resilience, and revolutionary spirit behind one of the world’s most beloved artists.

“Turner & Constable” plays for two screenings only, Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. and Friday, March 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for Lincoln Theater members, and $5 for youth ages 18 and under. Advance tickets and are available through the theater’s website at www.LincolnTheater.org and may also be purchased at the door beginning 30 minutes before showtime. Lincoln Theater is located at 2 Theater Street in the heart of downtown Damariscotta. More information is available online or by contacting the theater office at info@LincolnTheater.org or 563-3424.