San Lorenzo, Library, Ricetto, entry portal from library, elevation (recto) San Lorenzo, Library, Ricetto, entry portal from library, plan and section (verso) 1500 - 1560

This sheet shows an elevation, plan, and section for an entry portal to the library of San Lorenzo, drawn in ink on paper by an anonymous artist. The qualities of the ink, flowing with precision, capture the play of light and shadow on the architectural elements. The drawing is more than a mere representation. It embodies the values of the architecture itself, where intellectual pursuits and artistic expression were central to the cultural fabric of the time. The act of drawing, with its emphasis on manual skill and careful observation, parallels the labor-intensive processes involved in constructing the actual portal. In this context, the drawing assumes social significance. It is an expression of skill and artistic labor, reflecting the social and cultural values embedded within the architectural design. So we can see it not only as a guide to the physical construction of a library portal, but as a testament to the artistic ingenuity and intellectual aspirations of the time.