Joseph Mallord William Turner The So-Called Temple of Vesta, Tivoli 1819
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Folio 45 Recto:
The So-Called Temple of Vesta, Tivoli 1819
D15514
Turner Bequest CLXXXIII 45
Turner Bequest CLXXXIII 45
Pencil and grey watercolour wash on white wove paper, 253 x 200 mm
Inscribed by the artist in pencil ‘8’ within column, right-hand edge
Inscribed by ?John Ruskin in faded red ink ‘45’ bottom left, inverted, and by an unknown hand in pencil ‘45’ bottom left, inverted
Stamped in black ‘CLXXXIII 45’ top left, inverted
Inscribed by the artist in pencil ‘8’ within column, right-hand edge
Inscribed by ?John Ruskin in faded red ink ‘45’ bottom left, inverted, and by an unknown hand in pencil ‘45’ bottom left, inverted
Stamped in black ‘CLXXXIII 45’ top left, inverted
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
References
1909
A.J. Finberg, A Complete Inventory of the Drawings of the Turner Bequest, London 1909, vol.I, p.541, as ‘Temple of the Sibyl’.
1983
Cecilia Powell, ‘Turner’s Vignettes and the Making of Rogers’ “Italy” ’, Turner Studies, Summer 1983, vol.3, no.1, p.7.
1984
Cecilia Powell, ‘Turner on Classic Ground: His Visits to Central and Southern Italy and Related Paintings and Drawings’, unpublished Ph.D thesis, Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London 1984, pp.175 note 23, 285 note 70.
1987
Cecilia Powell, Turner in the South: Rome, Naples, Florence, New Haven and London 1987, pp.78 note 19, [153] note 110.
The so-called Temple of Vesta is an ancient circular edifice dating from the first century BC which stands on the brink of the gorge at the northern edge of Tivoli. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it represented an important site for the study of classical architecture and was one of the most popular motifs for artists visiting Italy. This sketch depicts a view from just beneath the ruin looking south across its façade. Turner has partially indicated the fluted surface of the Corinthian columns, as well as the decoration of the ceiling and the sculptural frieze adorned with ox-heads and garlands. Further studies of the architectural elements can be seen on folio 45 verso (D15515). For a detailed description of the temple and other related studies see folio 44 verso (D15513).
Visible in the background to the left of the Temple of Vesta is the Church of Santa Maria del Ponte which stood near the Ponte San Rocco, above the former falling point of the ‘Grand Cascade’ of the Aniene, compare folio 27 (D15494). The church was demolished during the works to divert the river away from the residential district after a devastating flood in 1826. Similar sketches can be seen on folios 46–46a (D15516–D15517). Like many drawings within this sketchbook, the composition has been executed over a washed grey background and Turner has created highlights by rubbing or lifting out the wash to reveal the white paper beneath.
Nicola Moorby
February 2010
How to cite
Nicola Moorby, ‘The So-Called Temple of Vesta, Tivoli 1819 by Joseph Mallord William Turner’, catalogue entry, February 2010, in David Blayney Brown (ed.), J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours, Tate Research Publication, December 2012, https://www