Joseph Mallord William Turner, R.A.

Mrs Henry B. Burney & Miss Burney;
with Agnew's, London

The medium is well preserved. The sheet has darkened a little and there is some minor paper discolouration. At some point the work has been mounted in a different manner - with much of the sky previously covered up. On very close inspection there is a faint line running across the composition which is connected with this.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In this early watercolour, Turner looks north from the tallest of Rome's hills. On the pastures immediately below a shepherd guards his sheep, while beyond, the Tiber meanders its way back to the distant hills. On the left is Monte Soratte, a mountain which Virgil suggested was guarded by Apollo.

This work dates to the middle of the 1790s and may be a copy after a now lost watercolour by John Robert Cozens. Later in his life, Turner made other watercolours from Monte Mario and these works are now held in the Yale Centre for British Art, the Courtauld Institute of Art, London and the National Gallery of Scotland.¹

^{1. A. Wilton, The Life and Work of J.M.W. Turner, Fribourg 1979, nos. 708, 719 & 720}