• Unknown, Italy, late 17th century (draughtsman)
• Flaminio Minozzi (role unspecified)

Quadratura drawing for door-frame and surround

ca. 1675-1725

- This drawing, by an unknown Italian artist, active probably in the area of Bologna in the last half of the 17th century, illustrates some of the conventions of quadratura design - the art of illusionistic wall and ceiling painting - that evolved during that century. Part of a wall and adjacent ceiling are shown as one continuous unfurling of space on a flat sheet of paper. The curve between the vertical and diagonal lines at the left-hand edge of the design indicate a modest coving. Around and above a doorway several ionic columns support an arch and archivolt which is decorated with acanthus leaves, putti, ram's head, and urn below, and satyrs, putti, garlands and urns above. A cornice, cartouche, balustrade, and scrolled pediment complete the decorations.

• design drawing

Pen and brown ink and brown wash or bistre over graphite underdrawing, with graphite pentimenti

sheet: 54.2 x 40.3 cm

DR1960:0021

• finished drawing
• pentimenti

• elevation (drawing)

• interior view

- Sheet consists of two sheets joined together.

inscribed - by an unknown nineteenth-century hand ?, in pen and black ink, on verso and visible through secondary suppport: "N. 30 Architecture"

• design d'intérieur