Two Alternate Designs for a Decoration over an Arched Opening with an Ornamental Cove 1700 - 1780

This drawing offers two possible designs for the decoration above an arched opening, rendered in pen and brown ink with gray and brown wash. The anonymous artist masterfully uses line and shadow to articulate the three-dimensional forms of baroque architectural ornamentation. The composition is divided vertically, each side presenting a different approach to framing the arch. On the left, we observe a design emphasizing layered, angular forms, creating depth through contrasting brown washes. The right side showcases a more curvilinear and ornamental approach, with delicate gray washes suggesting softer, more sculpted details. The drawing functions as a study in contrasts, exploring the interplay between line and shadow, angularity and curvature. It reveals an engagement with the aesthetic principles of the Baroque, specifically how architectural elements can be manipulated to create dramatic visual effects. This piece serves not only as a practical design proposal but also as a meditation on the visual language of architecture itself.