This drawing is based on notes taken by the artist while crossing the Alps on his way to Italy. In 1778, Châtelet travelled with Desprez and Vivant Denon, to southern Italy and Sicily. He followed the Voyage Pittoresque à Naples et en Sicile (Beautiful Journey to Naples and Sicily) by the abbot of Saint-Non. In a way, this work is the backdrop for the collection of 18th century drawings at the École polytechnique