Friedrich Preller the Elder (1804 Eisenach-1878 Weimar), San Bonaventura, Forum Romanum, Roma ca. 1827-1831 Pencil on paper, with handwritten annotation lower right "S. Buonaventura - Forum Romanum". H. 11.6 cm × W. 29.3 cm Made during the artist's Grand Tour of Italy, this sketch shows the convent of San Bonaventura on the Palatine Hill, above the Roman Forum. The monastic architecture dominates a landscape of ruins and vegetation animated by popular figures, in a composition balanced between history and nature. The work bears witness to Preller's romantic view of the ancient sites of Rome, and to his mastery of fine, cross-hatched line drawing. This Italian period left a lasting mark on his future work.