Joseph Mallord William Turner

The subject of this sketch is the straight section of the Via Appia known as ‘La Fettuccia’ (‘The Ribbon’), which runs through the Pontine marshes for thirty miles to Terracina and formed part of Turner’s journey south between Rome and Naples. The road was described by a contemporary author as being lined on either side with poplar and elm trees, see folio15 (D15583). In the distance can be seen the line of the Monti Lipini (also known as the Volscian Mountains). The sculptural feature in the bottom right-hand corner may represent an ancient milestone or other Roman fragment.