The Astronomers
1711
Medium
Pen and brown ink, with brush and brown wash, on buff laid paper
Dimensions
24.1 × 32.5 cm (9 1/2 × 12 13/16 in.)
Classification
pen and ink drawings
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
15190
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Donato Creti’s *The Astronomers* (1711) captures a moment of scholarly inquiry through delicate lines and tonal washes. Created on buff laid paper with pen and brown ink accented by brushwork, the drawing exemplifies the refined draftsmanship prized in early eighteenth-century Italy. Such works often served both as independent pieces for collectors and as preparatory studies, allowing artists to explore composition and light before committing to larger paintings. The medium’s fluid lines and subtle washes bring depth to the figures, suggesting instruments and star charts without heavy outlines. This technique highlights Creti’s ability to convey intellectual engagement in a compact format measuring just 24.1 by 32.5 centimeters. As part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings collection, the sheet offers visitors a glimpse into the period’s growing fascination with scientific observation rendered through traditional graphic means.
About the Artist
Donato Creti · 1671–1749
Comment on works: History; Religious