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

One of the greatest natural spectacles at Tivoli was the multitude of waterfalls caused by the waters of the River Aniene plunging into the valley to the north of the town. Turner has exploited the dark washed grey ground of this sketchbook page to create a swift study of one of the cascades. He has rendered the impression of falling water and fine spray by rubbing or lifting out the watercolour wash to reveal the white paper beneath. Soft, dark pencil-work in the bottom right-hand corner provides the suggestion of rocks. Similar naturalistic effects can be found throughout this sketchbook, particularly on folio 28 (D15495), and in the Naples: Rome C. Studies sketchbook (D16146–D16147; Turner Bequest CLXXXVII 58–9).