Mountainous View from Antrodoco

The scene presents a series of rolling hills that rise into craggy peaks, their contours rendered in soft black strokes. A river winds through the foreground, bisected by a narrow bridge or footpath, suggesting a traveled route through the terrain. The inclusion of the place name near the water anchors the image to a specific locale, emphasizing the artist’s intent to document a real, observed vista.

Lear employed black chalk for the primary drawing, allowing swift, gestural lines that convey the rugged topography. White gouache was applied sparingly to lift portions of the hills and river, creating highlights that suggest reflected light and atmospheric perspective. The blue ground paper provides a cool undertone, while the overall handling remains loose, indicating a rapid, on‑site sketch rather than a finished studio piece.

Edward Lear, better known for his literary nonsense and travel writings, produced this work during his Italian journeys in the mid‑1840s. The drawing bears his signature and date, confirming authorship. It later entered a private collection before being acquired by a museum specializing in 19th‑century travel sketches, where it serves as an example of Lear’s dual practice as illustrator and field draughtsman.