Palazzo Senatorio, window, elevation (recto) Palazzo Senatorio, window, plan; section (verso) 1500 - 1560

This elevation of a window from the Palazzo Senatorio is an anonymous drawing. Here we see a window design rendered in ink on paper. The drawing presents a symmetrical façade with a careful balance between vertical and horizontal elements. Two columns frame the window, supporting an entablature that is both functional and decorative. Above, a semi-circular arch is adorned with a stylized shell motif, which adds a layer of classical symbolism. The architectural structure is a play with semiotics, referencing classical forms. Columns, entablatures and shell motifs convey cultural values of antiquity and order. The plan is not merely a blueprint; it is a statement about the dialogue between form and meaning. Observe the interplay between linear precision and the subtle tonal variations achieved with ink. The composition invites reflection on how architectural drawing encodes cultural values through form. The materiality of the ink on paper makes this not just a design but a cultural statement.