Studies of Lago Maggiore and and the Entrance to a Palazzo

Gaspar van Wittel

National Gallery of Art

The image displays a side view of a wide riverscape or coastal scene with a large, block-like building on the right. The horizon is low, with faint mountains in the distance. Boats with figures are depicted in the water near the building, suggesting activity. The sketchy, linear brushstrokes give the drawing an unfinished look, and the color palette is monochrome using light brown paper and dark brown ink.