The Temple of Vesta and the Falls at Tivoli

A meticulously finished, grand-scale presentation watercolor, this drawing was exhibited in 1859 at the Society of Painters in Water Colours in London. The view was taken from a low vantage point, foregrounding closely observed, moss-covered rocks amid the frothy cascade. Jewel-like, the Temple of Vesta surmounts the imposing cliff, gleaming white against a crisp, blue sky. The majesty of the view is underscored by the presence of nearly imperceptible figures in the far distance hanging linens to dry along the temple wall.