1842
chalk
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Sketches in Italy [recto] is a 1842 chalk by Edward Lear, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a rough, quick drawing of a countryside scene. Twisted trees stand in the middle, with a faint path or river winding below. In the background, a small building sits on a hill. At the bottom left, a person in a hat leans over another person lying on the ground, maybe helping them. The lines are loose and scratchy, with some light shading. The artist used soft gray and white washes to add depth without heavy detail. The paper looks worn, like it’s been handled a lot. This style was common for travel sketches—artists would jot down scenes fast while on the move. Next, check out the technique: chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create mood.
Edward Lear (12 May 1812 – 29 January 1888) was an English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet, who is known mostly for his literary nonsense in poetry and prose and especially his limericks, a form he popularised but which term he never used.
See the richer artist page
![View through the Trees at Tivoli [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/982b0e365e4ea403/thumb.webp)
