Baths of Caracalla at Albano

This drawing has always been identified as “House of Pompey at Albano,” but Wilson inscribed the drawing “Baths of Pompey at Albano.” Although not strictly accurate, he had a good reason for doing so. The ruins of Pompey’s house are about half a mile away, in the grounds of Villa Doria at Albano, but this view shows at the right the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla, on the southeast side of the town. The unfinished drawing reveals how Wilson began on the spot what normally would have become a highly finished record. He retained the sketch in his studio, and, in accordance with his customary teaching method, it was faithfully copied by his pupil in Rome, Adolf Friedrich Harper.