Two projects for stucco for an italian ceiling.
Medium
Pen and dark brown ink, brush and gray an red chalk wash over leadpoint or graphite, with ruled and compass construction. Scale at bottom of drawing in pen and brown ink over leadpoint or graphite
Dimensions
7-3/8 x 9-5/16 in. (18.7 x 23.6)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1965
Accession Number
65.653.50
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 18th-century drawing Piedmont, Italy, presents two anonymous architectural projects for ornate stucco ceilings, likely intended for a grand palazzo or villa. Created between 1700 and 1780, it captures the opulent decorative traditions of northern Italy, where intricate ceiling designs featuring motifs like stylized heads and lush leaves evoked classical antiquity and natural abundance. Such stucco work was a hallmark of the period's interiors, transforming everyday spaces into theatrical displays of wealth and artistry. The artist's preparatory technique reveals masterful preci...