J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours

The Punta dell’Epittafio is a rocky outcrop on the coastline between the Bay of Baiae and Lake Lucrino. It is the site of some ancient ruins, traditionally believed to the place where Hercules hid the oxen of Geryon during one of his mythic Twelve Labours. This sketch depicts a view of the point looking east towards distant Pozzuoli and on the right, the island of Nisida and the Sorrentine peninsula beyond. In the bottom right-hand corner of the page is a separate study of the Castello di Baia (Castle of Baiae) looking in the opposite direction from the Punta dell’Epitaffio. For related studies see folios 86 verso–87 and 88 (D15726–D15727 and D15729; Turner Bequest CLXXXIV 84a–85 and 86).