Roman Landscape 1630

This anonymous drawing, "Roman Landscape," from 1630, depicts a partial view of an Italian landscape. The artist uses a loose, sketchy style with a combination of pen and brown wash to capture a scene likely made during a journey through the Italian countryside. This drawing is characteristic of the 17th-century landscape drawings that flourished in Europe, reflecting a burgeoning interest in naturalism and observation. The drawing's inscription reveals it was made "in Rome" on "January 10, 1630," offering a glimpse into the artist's travels and artistic practice. The Art Institute of Chicago holds this small but captivating work.