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

On 29 September 2026, J.M.W. Turner’s painting "Rome, from Mount Aventine" 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, scheduled for 9 December 2026, where the painting will be the leading lot.

The painting, completed in 1836, depicts an umbrella pine tree set against the winding river Tiber, with the city of Rome stretching into the distance and bathed in soft light. This composition highlights Turner’s approach to atmosphere and landscape. According to Sotheby’s, the canvas is notable for its "astonishing freshness." Turner’s fingerprints, scrapes from his palette knife, and even individual brush hairs are visible in the wet paint, demonstrating the artist’s direct engagement with the canvas.

The painting has never been restored and remains on its original canvas and in its original frame. This level of preservation is highlighted by Sotheby’s as a significant feature of the work. The exhibition in Rome makes "Rome, from Mount Aventine" the most valuable work ever shown by an auction house in Italy, according to Sotheby’s.

Following its display in Rome, the painting is scheduled to travel to Sotheby’s galleries in London, Hong Kong, and New York. Sotheby’s notes that there is high interest in Turner among Asian clients, and that the artist has a substantial presence in American collections. These international stops are intended to attract attention from collectors around the world before the auction in December.

After its international tour, the painting will return to London for a final viewing at Sotheby’s New Bond Street gallery. This viewing will take place ahead of the 9 December auction, where the painting will be offered as the leading lot in the Old Masters and 19th-century evening sale. The exhibition and tour are part of Sotheby’s efforts to generate interest and excitement among potential buyers.

Sotheby’s describes the return of this work to auction as a significant opportunity for collectors. The auction house expresses confidence that this will be reflected in the bidding process. The painting’s condition, provenance, and the visibility of Turner’s techniques are all emphasized as key attributes.

The exhibition in Rome and the subsequent tour underscore the importance Sotheby’s places on presenting the painting to a global audience. The painting’s journey through major art centers is designed to maximize exposure and interest ahead of the London auction.