J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours

Rough in execution, the views on this page are identified by Turner’s inscription ‘Leg’, written twice towards the top right and bottom centre. This is an abbreviation of ‘Leghorn’, the traditional anglicised term for Livorno. More specifically, these studies depict the Venezia Nuova district to the north-east of the city. The area was developed under the Medicis as a network of canals and bridges to facilitate the transportation of goods to and from the port. The three-arched bridge in the bottom-left corner is likely the Ponte Santa Trinità, destroyed and replaced since Turner’s visit. Beyond is the Fortezza Vecchia, viewed from the east. The single-arched bridge to the right is likely the Ponte di Marmo, or ‘marble bridge’. Venezia Nuova’s concentration of waterways, canals and bridges made it an attractive subject for Turner. Adding to its visual appeal, no doubt, was the architectural resemblance to its namesake Venice, a city Turner first encountered in 1819.

Further views of Venezia Nuova appear on folios 2 recto and 3 verso (D21414, D21417). For a general commentary on Turner’s visit to Livorno and a list of relevant works in the sketchbook, see under folio 68 verso (D21542).