Aosta

Henry Le Keux 1787 - 1868

Summary

This is a view of the Roman city of Aosta in the Italian Alps, at the foot of the Great St Bernard Pass. Part of the city's Roman walls and the Arch of Augustus (an elaborate city gate surmounted with a crucifix) are visible in the foreground with mountains in the background. The arches of the Roman Theatre are also visible. Also in the foreground, is a large stone cross, inscribed with 1814. On the right a figure leads a donkey, loaded with goods, along a path towards the viewer. This small illustration, engraved on steel by Henry le Keux, is after a design that Turner made to illustrate a luxury edition of the poet Samuel Roger's 'Italy' published in 1830. Turner had visited Aosta in 1819 and produced several sketches but here he altered and condensed the layout of the city in order to include a number of significant landmarks.