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, from left to right, include: the distant dome of St Peter’s; the Janiculum Hill with the Church of San Pietro in Montorio; the Castel Sant’Angelo and the bend of the River Tiber. The view continues on the opposite sheet of the double-page spread, see folio 14 (D16509) and a similar prospect can be seen on folios 10 verso–11 and 12 (D16503–D16504 and D16506).