Joseph Mallord William Turner

Turner made a number of on-the-spot sketches and more elaborate drawings of the view of Rome from Monte Mario. This page depicts part of the prospect, the view looking north-east towards the sweeping bend of the River Tiber and the ancient Ponte Molle, also known as the Ponte Milvio. In the far distance is the mountain ridge of Monte Sorratte, known historically as Soracte. For a general discussion of Turner’s views from Monte Mario see folio 9 verso (D16174).

Turner completed a more detailed tonal drawing of the same composition (see Turner Bequest CLXXXIX 60; Tate D16391). This image confirms that the artist’s viewpoint was within the grounds of the Villa Madama, a sixteenth-century estate built for the Medici family on the eastern slopes of Monte Mario and famous for its garden loggia designed by Raphael.