Architectural Study 17th century

This ink on paper drawing, titled "Architectural Study," comes to us from an anonymous artist. It gives us a schematic view of classical architectural elements. The drawing illustrates the classical orders which, throughout European history, have been revived during periods of stability and empire-building. But in what context might this study have been made? Was it a preparatory sketch for an architect, perhaps in Italy, during the Renaissance? Or was it a student's exercise, copying from established models at the École des Beaux-Arts in nineteenth-century Paris? The very act of replicating these forms reinforces the classical values that they embody. To better understand the drawing's purpose, we can examine the sheet itself, looking for watermarks, inscriptions, or notes. By consulting historical records of architectural practices and educational institutions, we can better understand the social role this drawing once played.