As well chronicled in the Getty Research Institute publication Meyer Schapiro abroad: letters to Lillian and travel notebooks, Schapiro spent the year of 1926 traveling abroad in Europe and the Near East.

 

While he kept extensive records of his travels in notebooks and diaries, Schapiro was also inspired to draw on found material. As evinced in this drawing found in the archive, Schapiro was so taken by drawing that even a business card for his hotel room was not spared.

 

Could this have been drawn en plein aire in Siena? Or was it done back in his room at the pensione?

 

One may never know exactly, but it certainly gives a nice glimpse into his artistic practice as one that was inspired as it was inspiring.