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

The two cursory studies in the upper section of this page, executed with the sketchbook turned vertically, are difficult identify with precision. Turner’s upper-right inscription appears to read ‘Ronciglione’, a town in the Viterbo province, but the loosely defined buildings make his exact location difficult to place. See under folio 8 recto (D21779) for list of works depicting Ronciglione in the present sketchbook.

Similarly rough in execution, the study beneath is labelled ‘M^t Rosa’; this is possibly a reference to Monterosi, south of Ronciglione, which Turner presumably viewed from the Via Cassia as he travelled towards Nepi. The detail at the centre may represent the Church of San Giuseppe in Monterosi. At the bottom of the page is part of a view of Caprarola that has spilled over from folio 5 verso (D21774) opposite.