{
  "id": 12930512,
  "title": "J.M.W. Turner Painted This Breathtaking Roman Landscape Nearly 200 Years Ago. If You Look Closely, You Can Still See His Fingerprints",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/j-m-w-turner-painted-this-breathtaking-roman-landscape-nearly-200",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T18:56:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Smithsonian",
    "slug": "smithsonian",
    "url": "https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/jmw-turner-painted-this-breathtaking-roman-landscape-nearly-200-years-ago-if-you-look-closely-you-can-still-see-his-fingerprints-180989659/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the early 19th century, J.M.W. Turner received a commission to paint a scene of Rome that would capture the city's modern life alongside its ancient ruins. His patron, Hugh Andrew Johnstone Munro of Novar, specifically requested that Turner produce an authentic depiction, not an idealized one, and Turner was determined to meet this expectation. The painting, titled Rome, From Mount Aventine, became a cherished possession of Munro's family and was eventually sold at auction by his descendants in 2014 for a record-breaking $47.4 million. Now, nearly 200 years later, the artwork is once again the centerpiece of a highly anticipated Sotheby's auction on December 9, with experts predicting it could surpass the 2014 record and fetch up to $66 million. Turner's energetic touch is still visible on the canvas, with visible hairs from his brush, marks from his palette knife, and even some fingerprints remaining. This particular piece is notable as one of only two late Turners that still bear their original frames and have never been lined. The painting, set to travel to London, Hong Kong, and New York before the auction, offers viewers a unique opportunity to see the artist's revolutionary style in action. Turner, born in London in 1775, began painting as a child and was accepted into the Royal Academy at 14. His expressive style, characterized by loose brushwork and an emphasis on mood, set him apart as a revolutionary figure in the art world. The painting, depicting the Tiber River and bustling cityscape under bright sunlight, showcases Turner's mastery of light and atmosphere, sparking debates among critics during its initial exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1836.",
  "summary": "The Romantic painter completed \"Rome, From Mount Aventine\" in the 1830s. It became his most expensive artwork in 2014, and it's expected to sell for another record-breaking sum in December",
  "key_points": [
    "Turner painted Rome, From Mount Aventine in early 19th century",
    "Fingerprint marks visible on canvas nearly 200 years later",
    "Auction expected to exceed $66 million record price"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}