Project for Interior Wall with Fireplace
16th century
Medium
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over ruled lines in black chalk or graphite
Dimensions
sheet: 8 3/4 x 16 1/8 in. (22.3 x 41 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund
Accession Number
61.658.38
Tags
Art Historical Context
This 16th-century Italian drawing presents a detailed design for an interior wall centered on an ornate fireplace, reflecting the Renaissance era’s growing emphasis on harmonious domestic architecture. In Italy during this period, fireplaces evolved from simple heating sources into sculptural focal points that showcased wealth and artistic refinement in palaces and villas. The anonymous artist carefully planned the wall’s proportions and decorative elements, offering a glimpse into how such spaces were conceived before construction. Created with pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over ru...