'Exceptional' William Turner painting shown in Rome before sale

Turner's 1836 painting 'Rome, From Mount Aventine' is displayed in Rome, during a recent preview at Palazzo Rondinini ahead of its auction by Sotheby's in London on Dec 9. Photo: AP

A particularly well-preserved painting of Rome by the British artist William Turner went on display in the city on Tuesday for the first time ahead of an auction in December.

Rome, From Mount Aventine, which was first exhibited in 1836, has only been sold twice before and still carries the artist's fingerprints and even the hairs of his brush.