Study of a monastic 'Procession' in a coastal landscape

Pen and ink sketch by Elizabeth Southerden Thompson (later Lady Butler) (1846-1933) from 'Scenes in Italy, 1860-61', a sketchbook of pencil and pen and ink drawings, 1860-1861.

This sketchbook, executed at Albaro near Genoa from the end of 1860 to the spring of 1861 and in London and Hastings thereafter, contains small pen and ink studies of Italian troops; bersaglieri, carabinieri and Garibaldini as well as peasants, boatmen, priests, horsemen and carnival scenes. There are several caricature drawings comparing the armed forces of Britain, France and Piedmont.

The decorative tailpiece pursues this theme with comparisons of the cliffs of Dover and Mount Vesuvius, British and Piedmont flags, Kentish hops and Italian vines. In addition there are studies of people in a cafe in Genoa, visitors to Hastings and drawings of a woman playing the piano who may have been the artist's mother.