 Although Etty was somewhat disappointed by Rome , comparing the architecture of St. Peter 's unfavourably with that of St. Paul 's , he was highly impressed with Michelangelo 's " almost Venetian " use of colour in the Sistine Chapel . He also met with Antonio Canova , to whom he had been recommended by Lawrence , shortly before Canova 's death . Rome was at the time suffering badly from malaria , and after two weeks Etty decided to leave for Naples . Evans had contracted malaria and decided to stay in Rome , and so Etty travelled to Naples alone and returned to Rome in the company of actor William Macready , who happened to be making the same journey , and with whom he remained a good friend for the rest of his life . On his return to Rome , Etty toured the city 's museums , making copies of various artworks , particularly those of the Venetian artists such as Titian and Veronese whom he so admired . 
