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

Following a systematic exploration of the eastern bank of the River Tiber from the Isola Tiberina to the outskirts of Rome, Turner made a series of panoramic drawings from San Paolo fuori le mura, the basilica church situated outside of the ancient city walls, approximately one mile south of the Porta San Paolo, see folios 10 verso–12 and 13 verso–14 (D16503–D16506 and D16509–D16510). This view looks north towards the city. Identifiable landmarks include, from left to right: the distant dome of St Peter’s; the Janiculum Hill with the Church of San Pietro in Montorio; the Castel Sant’Angelo; the Capitoline Hill with the tower of the Campidoglio; and the top of the Pyramid of Cestius. A similar prospect can be seen on folios 12 and 13 verso–14 (D16506 and D16509–D16510). The composition continues on the opposite sheet of the double-page spread with the curving bend of the River Tiber, see folio 10 verso (D16503). The horizon line in the top left-hand corner is also a continuation of a separate landscape view which has spilled over from this page.