Mount Etna from the Greek Theatre, Taormina, Sicily

MacWhirter’s painting was a noted exhibit at the Royal Academy exhibition of 1890. The artist was a committed traveller and twice visited Sicily, there witnessing the majestic setting of the ancient amphitheatre of Taormina with the volcanic Mount Etna behind. Part of the same building forms the background to Leighton’s Wedded (which hangs on the opposite wall).