Architectural design in Roman order
18th century
Medium
Pen and gray ink, brush and gray wash
Dimensions
sheet: 4 7/16 x 4 15/16 in. (11.3 x 12.6 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Regina Slatkin, 1963
Accession Number
63.712.52
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate 18th-century drawing titled *Architectural Design in Roman Order*, showcases the enduring fascination with classical antiquity that swept through Europe during the Enlightenment. Created anonymously, it exemplifies the meticulous study of Roman architectural principles—likely one of the five classical orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, or Composite)— formed the backbone of Western design from ancient Rome to the neoclassical revivals. At just 4 7/16 x 4 15/16 inches, this intimate sheet feels like a personal sketchbook page, perhaps from an architect, student, or designer ...