Joseph Mallord William Turner

One of the greatest natural spectacles at Tivoli was the multitude of waterfalls caused by the waters of the River Aniene plunging into the valley to the north of the town. Turner has exploited the dark washed grey ground of this sketchbook page to create a swift, evocative study of one of the cascades. He has created the impression of falling water and fine spray (known as polvere dell’acqua, or dust of the water) by scratching, rubbing or lifting out the watercolour wash to reveal the white paper beneath. Soft, dark pencil-work provides the suggestion of rocks. Similar naturalistic effects can be found throughout this sketchbook, particularly on folio 15 (D15481), and in the Naples: Rome C. Studies sketchbook (D16146–D16147; Turner Bequest CLXXXVII 58–9).

Verso:
Blank, except for traces of grey watercolour wash