CA · International contemporary art platformOn September 29, 2026, J.M.W. Turner’s painting "Rome, from Mount Aventine" (1836) was unveiled at the Palazzo Rondinini in Rome. The Palazzo Rondinini is an 18th-century baroque residence originally built by an art collector. The unveiling marks the start of a three-day exhibition of the painting in Rome. This exhibition is intended to generate interest ahead of the Old Masters and 19th-century evening auction at Sotheby’s London, which is scheduled for December 9, 2026. The painting is estimated to achieve a price of around £50 million at the auction.
The canvas depicts an umbrella pine tree set against the winding river Tiber, with the city of Rome bathed in soft light and stretching into the distance. This composition captures a tranquil and expansive view of the Eternal City. According to Sotheby’s, the painting is notable for its "astonishing freshness." The auction house describes that Turner’s fingerprints, scrapes from his palette knife, and individual brush hairs are still visible in the wet paint.
The painting has never been restored and remains on its original canvas and in its original frame. This preservation allows viewers to see the work as it was when Turner completed it in 1836. Sotheby’s states that the Rome exhibition makes "Rome, from Mount Aventine" the most valuable work ever shown by an auction house in Italy.
After the exhibition in Rome, the painting will travel to Sotheby’s galleries in London, Hong Kong, and New York. Sotheby’s notes that there is high interest in Turner’s work among Asian clients, and that the artist has a substantial presence in American collections. These stops are part of the painting’s international tour before the auction.
The painting will finally return to London for display at Sotheby’s New Bond Street gallery ahead of the December 9 sale. This final display will give potential buyers another opportunity to view the work in person before the auction.
Sotheby’s representative Gascoigne commented that the return of this extraordinary work to auction marks a significant opportunity for collectors, and expressed hope that this would be reflected in the bidding. The auction house’s statements highlight the anticipation surrounding the sale.
The exhibition and upcoming auction of "Rome, from Mount Aventine" offer a rare opportunity to view a major Turner painting in exceptional condition, with its original materials and artist’s marks preserved. The painting’s journey through major art centres underscores its importance and the broad interest it generates among collectors worldwide.
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