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

The page was used both ways up for two subjects early on Turner’s return route from Venice. At the top, helpfully labelled given its rapidity and slightness, is the Porta San Tomaso, one of Treviso’s city gates, across the moat on the north side of its old walls; it is seen from the outer approach, with six detached Corinthian columns, a central road arch and two doorways for pedestrians. The structure is heavily carved with triumphs, and a huge high-relief lion of St Mark’s over the arch, all of which is barely hinted at here.

Below is a cursory, wavy mountain skyline, presumably a swift record of the Alpine terrain through which Turner would use most of this sketchbook, made in the vicinity; it tails off on folio 98 recto opposite (D31788). There is a second profile below, limited to the present page.

At the bottom, the other way up, is an outline of the fortified centre of neighbouring Castelfranco Veneto, on its square plan, surrounded by a moat-like watercourse, from outside the eastern corner, with the campanile of the cathedral on the left, and the Torre Civica to the right; compare the more detailed studies on folio 96 verso (D31785), and see under folio 5 verso (D31606) for more at the other end of this book. There is also a similar view on the opposite page, which seems to be of a nearby aspect rather than a direct continuation.