Ludwig Richter

Made during Richter’s three-year stay in Italy, this drawing captures the vast, scenic landscape of the Roman countryside. The undulating hills extend rhythmically into the distance; they are composed of interchanging areas of gray and brownish washes, and sections of paper left blank. In the foreground, pious countrypeople are making their way to a small chapel located in a shaded valley at left. Unlike most of the landscape, the figures are rendered in outline only. While this gives the drawing an unfinished appearance, the artist likely left this area deliberately unworked to emphasize the impression of a radiant, sun-drenched Italian landscape.