Palermo is depicted in all of its monumentality just as it could appear to a visitor approaching from the sea, who admired its majestic crown of mountains that surround it. The city is framed on the left margin by the Fortino Tonnarazza and on the extreme right by the Forte della Garita, while on the background it is possible to admire Castellamare.

Our view presents a precise description of the buildings of the time, that faced the sea: on the left, we see Borgo Sant’Erasmo, the Cutò house, Villa Giulia between the two obelisks, the Gymnasium of the Botanical Garden, Palazzo Forcella and Monreale in the distance, characterized by a big street that cuts the mountain. Even farther away it is possible to take a glimpse of the profile of the Castellaccio, right above the Monte Caputo. The view proceeds with the outlines of the Trinacria Hotel that faces the boardwalk of the Marina, Palazzo Butera, the cathedral and finally the Forte della Garita.

The chariots of the nobles move all along the city boardwalk while various boats of anglers are depicted far away on the sea.

In 1836, Zerilli painted a second version of our view, which can be found today in the collection of the Cassa di Risparmio di Genova[1].

Peculiarities of the Sicilian painter are the extreme care for details of both the buildings and the vegetation, and his manner of animating his compositions with different characters. His favorite subject was Palermo, but also Sicily as a whole. Francesco Zerilli is famous for having portrayed the Sicilian capital from different angles and perspectives.