In 1894 Levitan went abroad to Europe for the second time: to Venice, Nice, Paris and Lake Como in Northern Italy, And while he created only a very few pieces on that trip, along the way he worked on several versions of Lake Como. Perhaps he was not feeling well, as later that year he was diagnosed with serious heart disease.
Lake Como is known for its dramatic scenery in the foothills of the Italian Alps. The coastal village on the right gives us an idea of how monumental these mountains are. Low wispy clouds are rolling through a splendid sky. Psalm 121 comes to mind; let us pray it with care.
I lift up my eyes unto the hills;
from where is my help to come?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot to be moved
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
The Lord himself watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
So that the sun shall not strike you by day,
neither the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
it is he who shall keep you safe.
The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in,
from this time forth for evermore.
I lift up my eyes unto the hills;
from where is my help to come?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot to be moved
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
The Lord himself watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
So that the sun shall not strike you by day,
neither the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
it is he who shall keep you safe.
The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in,
from this time forth for evermore.
