Turner’s £50m Painting Goes on Display in Rome Ahead of Sotheby’s Auction

J.M.W. Turner’s painting "Rome, from Mount Aventine" was unveiled at the Palazzo Rondinini in Rome, an 18th-century baroque residence originally built by an art collector. The unveiling marks the beginning of a three-day exhibition, which aims to generate interest ahead of the Old Masters and 19th-century evening auction at Sotheby’s London, scheduled for 9 December 2026.

The painting, completed in 1836, depicts an umbrella pine tree set against the winding river Tiber. The city of Rome stretches into the distance, bathed in soft light, capturing a tranquil and atmospheric view of the Eternal City. This composition highlights Turner’s skill in rendering both natural and architectural elements within a luminous landscape.

Sotheby’s describes the canvas as possessing an “astonishing freshness.” The painting has never been restored and remains on its original canvas and in its original frame. Close inspection reveals Turner’s fingerprints, scrapes from his palette knife, and individual brush hairs embedded in the wet paint, offering a direct connection to the artist’s process.

According to Sotheby’s, the Rome exhibition makes "Rome, from Mount Aventine" the most valuable work ever shown by an auction house in Italy. This distinction underscores the significance of the painting’s appearance in Rome prior to its international tour and eventual sale.

After the exhibition in Rome, the painting is scheduled to travel to Sotheby’s galleries in London, Hong Kong, and New York. The auction house notes high interest in Turner among Asian clients, and also points out the artist’s substantial presence in American collections, reflecting the global appeal of his work.

The painting will return to London for a final display at Sotheby’s New Bond Street gallery ahead of the 9 December auction. This final viewing will provide collectors and the public another opportunity to see the work before it is offered for sale.

Sotheby’s representatives have expressed confidence that the return of this extraordinary work to auction marks a significant opportunity for collectors. They hope that this will be reflected in the bidding during the December sale, which is expected to attract considerable attention from the international art community.