Rocky Landscape with a Natural Arch c. 1575

Gherardo Cibo rendered this landscape with pen and brown ink on blue paper. Born in Italy in 1512, Cibo was an artist-naturalist, and his landscapes combine direct observation with the artistic conventions of his time. This landscape presents an idealized vision of nature, echoing a growing interest in the natural world during the Renaissance. The two figures in the foreground, dwarfed by the scale of the landscape, invite us to consider humanity’s place within the natural order. The arch itself becomes a symbol of nature's grandeur and enduring power. Cibo’s decision to depict the landscape in such detail reflects a humanist desire to understand and document the world. This drawing invites us to reflect on the historical relationship between humanity and nature. Cibo’s artwork reminds us of the Renaissance’s evolving perspectives on identity, knowledge, and our place in the world.