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

Turner made several sketches of Savona, a city on the Ligurian coast, approximately thirty-four miles south-west of Genoa. This example, with the page turned horizontally, depicts a detailed view of the city, seen from the north.1 Turner’s exact vantage point is difficult to pin down although he appears to have been standing on the hill which rises away from the harbour and the coastline, perhaps near the Convento dei Cappuccini, looking south towards the historic centre. The hill slopes away to the right, westwards, following the line of the old city walls. The identifiable architectural landmarks include: the campanile of San Giovanni Battista at the far right, with the coastline of Capo di Vado visible above in the far distance; the cathedral at the centre right; the Fortezza di Priamar at the centre left; and just in front, the Torre Brandale, also known as the Campanassa.

There appears to be a second, smaller sketch in the bottom-right corner which partially overlaps the larger composition. This depicts a view of the quayside of the old harbour of Savona, including the Torre della Quardo. For a larger and more detailed study of the same vista, see the verso (D21266). Further sketches of Savona can be found on folios 69 recto–70 verso (D21267–D21270).