Mt. Baker and Mt. McKensie (recto) Samuel Colman Jr (1832-1920)

The drawing presents a panoramic vista dominated by two prominent mountain peaks. The composition is structured around a clear foreground-background relationship, with a series of undulating ridges and valleys leading the eye towards the distant summits. A sense of considerable atmospheric perspective is established through varying degrees of tonal density; closer forms are rendered with more precise lines and darker shading, while those receding into the distance appear lighter and less defined, suggesting depth and scale.
The artist employed a relatively sparse application of line work to delineate form. Hatching and cross-hatching techniques are utilized extensively to create areas of shadow and suggest texture on the mountain slopes. The peaks themselves are depicted with a simplified elegance, their snow-covered surfaces indicated by short, broken lines that convey a sense of ruggedness and icy expanse.
The placement of textual annotations – Mr. Baker at the upper right and “Mr. McKensie” in the lower left corner – indicates these are likely intended as labels for the depicted peaks. The handwriting is somewhat hurried, suggesting a rapid sketch undertaken on location or from memory. This immediacy contributes to the drawing’s overall impression of spontaneity and direct observation.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of topography, the work hints at an underlying reverence for the natural world. The sheer scale of the mountains, emphasized by their dominance within the frame, evokes a sense of awe and perhaps even humility in the viewer. The absence of human presence further reinforces this feeling, suggesting that these landscapes exist independently of human activity or intervention.
The drawing’s subdued palette – limited to shades of brown and gray – contributes to its understated mood. It avoids overt sentimentality, instead presenting a straightforward record of observed forms. This restraint lends the work a quiet dignity and invites contemplation on the enduring power and beauty of mountainous terrain.