François Le Moyne was born in Paris and received his early training under his step-father, portrait painter Robert Tournières. He later studied with Louis Galloche. Le Moyne is known primarily as a painter of mythological subjects. Landscape drawings are rare within his oeuvre. This example dates from Le Moyne’s trip to Italy in 1724, sponsored by his patron François Berger, and has the qualities of a spontaneous study, with its simplified treatment of trees and foliage. The specific site depicted is unknown. François Le Moyne achieved a significant measure of success in his career, the height of which was his appointment as Premier Peintre du Roi. François Boucher and Charles-Joseph Natoire were among his pupils.