This painting shows a view of the quaint village of Bellagio on Lake Como in Northern Italy, situated on a land mass that divides the lake into two arms. The site offered artists the opportunity to depict the natural beauty of the lake, the charm of the town, and the drama of the Alps in the distance. With its surrounding villas and gardens, Bellagio has been a major attraction for artists, writers, and many famous personalities. Weber has added the figure of a reclining goat herder in the foreground to give the viewer a sense of scale. In addition to his depictions of landscapes in the United States, Weber frequently traveled to Switzerland and Italy from his home base in Darmstadt, Germany, sometimes accompanied by his pupils.
