The Devil’s Bridge in Blera (VT, Italy) in a painting by William Turner

• A new site identification is proposed for a landscape painted by J.M.W. Turner. • Geomorphological and topographic analysis refutes earlier site identifications. • Historical images were used to assess vegetation change and spatial consistency. • Key visual elements (bridge, path) were matched with real-world references. • An integrated visual approach enhances landscape interpretation in art heritage. In his constant search for inspiration, William Turner embarked on numerous trips to Europe, especially Italy. The Italian landscape, rich in history and nature, profoundly influenced his artistic production, frequently resurfacing in his later paintings. During these trips, Turner produced a substantial number of sketches and some paintings, often of landscapes that were difficult to identify. One such painting, created during his second visit to Italy in 1828, was tentatively attributed to Civita di Bagnoregio (VT) or Pitigliano (GR). This study proposes to revisit these hypotheses in light of new geomorphological and topographical evaluations, suggesting an alternative site in the countryside of Tuscia (VT) that Turner visited in 1828. This location matches all systematically compared characteristics, including the painting’s essential compositional elements, such as a small road and bridge, situated in a similar landscape context.

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Cultural Heritage
Published
2025-09-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2025.09.008
Primary Topic
Fixed Point Theorems Analysis
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

The Devil’s Bridge in Blera (VT, Italy) in a painting by William Turner

Journal of Cultural Heritage
Fixed Point Theorems Analysis
article

The Devil’s Bridge in Blera (VT, Italy) in a painting by William Turner

article en

Abstract

• A new site identification is proposed for a landscape painted by J.M.W. Turner. • Geomorphological and topographic analysis refutes earlier site identifications. • Historical images were used to assess vegetation change and spatial consistency. • Key visual elements (bridge, path) were matched with real-world references. • An integrated visual approach enhances landscape interpretation in art heritage. In his constant search for inspiration, William Turner embarked on numerous trips to Europe, especially Italy. The Italian landscape, rich in history and nature, profoundly influenced his artistic production, frequently resurfacing in his later paintings. During these trips, Turner produced a substantial number of sketches and some paintings, often of landscapes that were difficult to identify. One such painting, created during his second visit to Italy in 1828, was tentatively attributed to Civita di Bagnoregio (VT) or Pitigliano (GR). This study proposes to revisit these hypotheses in light of new geomorphological and topographical evaluations, suggesting an alternative site in the countryside of Tuscia (VT) that Turner visited in 1828. This location matches all systematically compared characteristics, including the painting’s essential compositional elements, such as a small road and bridge, situated in a similar landscape context.

Journal of Cultural HeritageVol. 76
Regione Puglia (IT), Istituto per la Valorizzazione del Legno e delle Specie Arboree (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 39%
Fixed Point Theorems Analysis
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.