In 1819, during one of his many art journeys across Europe, JMW Turner visited Italy, sketching and presenting views of The Forum, most likely never seen by people in Britain; hence the signpost for Roma, seen in the bottom right-hand corner of the painting below. The view that he presents includes the famous three pillars of the Tempio Dei Dioscuri 484 BC, originally inspired by Greek mythos that pays homage to Castor and Pollux, patrons of poetic art and dance. This painting is currently in the Tate Britain, London.

Turner-Barlow has taken this painting and re-interpreted it through an expressionist lens. She has shifted the western view of the Tempio to the right and used this natural window to also include views to the east. The Colosseo now comes into view as does the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica that sits atop the famous Roman cypress trees.

Using her own en plein observations, Turner-Barlow takes advantage of the expressionist method to provide the viewer with a broader representation of Roman history that includes structures that cannot be seen together. The graphite rendition of what is typically referred to as the Arch of Titus retains a sense of deep Roman history.