Joseph Mallord William Turner

A sketch of the Casino di Raffaello near the gardens of the Villa Borghese, see folio 44 verso (D16233; Turner Bequest CLXXXVIII 43a). In the bottom left-hand corner Turner has inscribed the word ‘Raff’ to indicate his interest in the site’s connection with Raphael (see also folio 46a, D16137; Turner Bequest CLXXXVIII 45a). The viewpoint appears to depict the western façade of the building from the north-west, with part of the Muro Torto, the walls between Porta Pinciana and Porta del Popolo, just visible in the background on the right. Similar compositions can be found on folio 46 (D16236; Turner Bequest CLXXXVIII 45) and in the Rome: C. Studies sketchbook (Tate D16344; Turner Bequest CLXXXIX 18).