Joseph Mallord William Turner

View of Tivoli, with the So-Called Temple of Vesta, from Monte Catillo

1819

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

License this image

In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment
Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Tivoli to Rome Sketchbook
Medium
Graphite on paper
Dimensions
Support: 112 × 186 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D15077
Turner Bequest CLXXIX 79

Catalogue entry

This rough outline sketch depicts a view of Tivoli from the slopes of Monte Catillo, on the opposite side of the steep, wooded gorge, known as the Valle d’Inferno (Valley of Hell). Visible on the far right-hand side is the so-called Temple of Vesta, a circular ruin dating from the first century BC which stands on the edge of the north-eastern edge of the town. On the left-hand side of the composition is a natural cavern in the rock caused by the passage of water, on top of which has been built a church with a Baroque façade. A more detailed sketch of a similar view can be seen in the Naples: Rome C. Studies sketchbook (Tate D16118; Turner Bequest CLXXXVII 30).

Nicola Moorby
February 2010

Read full Catalogue entry

Explore

You might like

Left Right