Portico 1500 - 1600

This drawing of a portico was made with pen and brown ink, and brown wash over graphite. The anonymous artist used these relatively simple materials to create an intricate depiction of classical architecture. Notice how the brown wash gives depth and volume to the columns and pediment. The repetitive lines and careful shading suggest the weight and solidity of stone, a material that, in reality, demands considerable labor to quarry, shape, and assemble. This drawing reduces that intense process to the skilled application of ink on paper. The artist, though unknown to us, clearly understood the architectural principles at play in the building's design. It makes you wonder if the drawing was preparatory to a large building campaign, or perhaps an exercise in the aesthetics of classical design. Either way, it's a reminder that all architecture, no matter how monumental, begins with a simple, human gesture: the mark of a pen. The materials, making and context of this artwork challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.