Bernini Fountain, Rome [recto] c. 1867

Felix Octavius Carr Darley’s “Bernini Fountain, Rome [recto]” is a watercolor on paper sketch depicting a street scene in Rome, Italy. It is unclear if Darley is depicting a specific Bernini fountain, as he is known for both his landscape sketches and illustrations. The sketch is likely a study for a larger composition, as it is only 8 3/8 x 5 7/16 inches in size. The composition features a group of donkeys standing in the foreground, a figure in the background, and a small dog resting in the center of the scene. The sketch provides a glimpse into the everyday life in Rome in the mid-19th century, capturing the detail of architecture, animal life, and daily routines.