Pauper Auction Written by Mary Kronenwetter Review by Susan Higginbotham In 1805, Margery Turner, a young widow whose beloved husband has perished in a tragic accident, finds herself standing at a New Hampshire town meeting, being auctioned off to the lowest bidder.
Ah, JMW Turner—a name that might not roll off the tongue as easily as Picasso or Van Gogh, but give it some time, and you’ll be dropping it into conversations like a pro. His painting, “Rome, From Mount Aventine,” is making a fleeting visit back to the Eternal City after nearly 200 years, and it’s causing quite the stir. Think of it as a long-lost lover returning for a quick rendezvous before dashing back to the auction block.
Created in 1836, this masterpiece is not just any painting; it’s a panoramic love letter to Rome, capturing the city in all its glory. Imagine sipping espresso at a quaint café while gazing at the stunning view of ancient architecture and bustling streets, all from the serene heights of Mount Aventine. It’s the kind of view that makes you want to break into a spontaneous opera. Or, you know, just take a lot of selfies.
For three days, art lovers and casual tourists alike flocked to the Palazzo Rondinini to catch a glimpse of this beauty. It’s like a celebrity sighting, but with less paparazzi and more art critics. The last time this painting hit the market was back in 2014, when it sold for a jaw-dropping £30.3 million. Now, it’s projected to fetch around £50 million at Sotheby’s auction in London on December 9th. No pressure, right?
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the significance of this return. It’s been nearly two centuries since the piece has been publicly displayed in Rome, which makes this event feel like a historical homecoming. If paintings could talk, you can bet Turner would have a lot to say about how things have changed since he last visited. “Hey, where’d all the chariots go?” might be one of his first questions.
But alas, like all good things, this exhibition is temporary. After its romantic escapade in Rome, the painting is off to Hong Kong and then New York, continuing its globe-trotting adventure. You might say it’s got a busy schedule—this artwork is living its best life while most of us are stuck at our desks.
So what’s the takeaway from all this? If you happen to have a spare £50 million lying around, you might want to consider investing in some fine art. But for the rest of us mere mortals, we can simply appreciate the beauty and history of Turner’s work from afar, maybe while munching on a slice of pizza. After all, who needs a £50 million painting when you can enjoy a good slice of Roman pizza for a fraction of the cost?
In conclusion, as Turner’s painting prepares to leave Rome once more, let’s raise a toast (or a cappuccino) to this fleeting moment. Here’s hoping it doesn’t take another 200 years for it to return. Until then, we’ll just have to settle for our Instagram feeds filled with artful shots of the Colosseum.
Inspired by: “JMW Turner’s ‘great love letter’ to Rome makes brief return to city before UK auction” (r/News)