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Joseph Mallord William Turner , English, 1775-1851

Title

A River in the Campagna, near Rome

Date1794/1797

MediumWatercolour and graphite on off-white wove paper

Dimensions

15.5 x 25.8 cm

Credit LineBequeathed, Henry Vaughan, 1900

Object numberNGI.2403

DescriptionIt is likely this watercolour was inspired by John Robert Cozens' Italian sketches of 1782, as Turner did not visit rome until 1819. This quiet watercolour features delicate under-drawing with subtle washes of green, brown and ochre. It probably represents a late summer scene as the countryside appears parched and dry despite the presence of the river.

Inscriptionupper centre (in graphite): The Shakespear cliff
Exhibition HistoryTurner in January | Ireland's Vaughan Bequest, National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh, 01 January 2025 - 31 January 2025