The subject of the sketch at the bottom of the page is the so-called Tomb of Cicero, a large mausoleum on the Via Appia, one mile west of Formia. Comprised of a square base upon which is set a crumbling cone, it is popularly believed to be the tomb of the Roman orator and philosopher, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC), but despite the fact that he is documented as meeting his death in Formia, there is no concrete evidence to support this. A villa connected with him is also believed to have stood in the vicinity, see the
Gandolfo to Naples sketchbook (Tate
D15609–D15610; Turner Bequest CLXXXIV 27–27a). Turner’s view continues on the opposite sheet of the double-page spread, see folio 30 (
D15161; Turner Bequest CLXXX 29). See also folios 1 verso (
D15106; Turner Bequest CLXXX 1a), and a near-contemporaneous drawing by James Hakewill (1778–1843),
Tomb of Cicero nr Mola di Gaeta, ?1817 (British School at Rome Library).
3 Turner had listed the monument amongst his notes taken from Revd John Chetwode Eustace’s
A Classical Tour Through Italy, and had furthermore made a thumbnail pen-and-ink copy of a view after John ‘Warwick’ Smith (1749–1831), see the
Italian Guide Book sketchbook (Tate
D13954 and
D13968; Turner Bequest CLXXII 12a and 20). Cicero was obviously a historical figure who interested him. He later produced a finished oil painting,
Cicero at his Villa exhibited 1839 (private collection).
4