Cy Twombly's summer of 1959 in Sperlonga, a picturesque village on Italy's Tyrrhenian coast, marked a significant turning point in his artistic journey. This period was not just a time of personal milestones, including his marriage and the birth of his son, but also a pivotal moment that saw a profound shift in his creative output. The works Twombly produced during this time—a fusion of drawing, painting, and collage—are celebrated for capturing the essence of the Mediterranean landscape, its rich history, and the lyricism found within. His return to Sperlonga in 1963 to revisit the locale underscores its profound impact on his oeuvre, notably through his engagement with mythology and poetry, elements that would permeate his work for decades​ (Phillips)​.

Twombly's Sperlonga works are characterized by their exploration of medium and form, reflecting a visual celebration of the Mediterranean's vibrant landscape and historical depth. These pieces embody a significant transition in Twombly's artistic exploration, merging his abstract expressionist roots with a newfound interest in classical themes, narrative depth, and lyrical abstraction. This blend of influences underscores Twombly's unique position in the art world, straddling the line between American postwar abstraction and the classical European tradition, infused with his own contemporary experiences and profound engagement with the past.