Monk Of The Roman Campagna, From The Series “costumes Italiens”, 19th Century. Watercolor.

Monk of the Roman Campagna, from the series “Costumes italiens”, 19th century. Watercolor.

Watercolor and pencil on paper

29 × 21.5 cm

Study of a seated monk wearing a dark monastic habit with a hood covering the head. The figure holds a small prayer book in his hands. The preparatory drawing is executed in pencil and remains visible beneath the watercolor washes.

The work belongs to a group of eight watercolors of similar size depicting figures and traditional costumes of the Roman Campagna: several women in regional dress, a monk, and a shepherd or brigand. On one of the sheets appears an inscription in French, suggesting the work of a French traveling artist during a journey in Italy.

The sheets likely originally formed part of a travel album dedicated to Italian costumes, later dispersed.

Condition consistent with age, light natural patina of the paper.