Turner masterpiece goes on display in Rome ahead of multimillion-dollar auction

British painter J.M.W. Turner's 'Rome, from Mount Aventine' went on display in the Italian capital on Tuesday (September 29), marking the first time the finished masterpiece has been exhibited in the city that inspired it nearly 200 years ago.

The painting, on public display in the Baroque rooms of Palazzo Rondinini until October 1, was presented by Sotheby's before heading to auction in London on December 9.

Sotheby's senior specialist Julian Gascoigne said the painting was based on a series of sketches made in Rome in 1828, but was most likely finished at the artist's studio in London.

The masterpiece, depicting a panoramic view of the Eternal City from the Aventine Hill, is preserved in remarkable condition, even retaining traces of Turner's fingerprints and brush hairs on its surface.

Commissioned by the artist's friend and patron Hugh Munro of Novar, the painting appeared at auction only once before, in 2014, when it sold for 30.3 million pounds (35.4 million euros, $40.1 million), setting a record for a work by Turner.

Now, that mark could be surpassed, with Gascoigne saying Sotherby's expect bids in the region of 50 million pounds (58.3 million euros, $66.2 million).

Camera and editing: Gabriele Pileri. Production and writing: Matteo Negri/Reuters