A Sheet of Studies with Architectural Motifs and Two Sketches for a Visitation (Recto). Sketch for a Funerary Monument (Verso) 1652 - 1725

Giovanni Battista Foggini created this sheet of studies with architectural motifs using pen and brown ink. Notice how the composition is divided into distinct sections, each showcasing Foggini's ideas. The architectural elements, such as ornate columns and building facades, contrast with the fluidity of theVisitation sketches. Foggini destabilizes a traditional drawing through the juxtaposition of these elements. He challenges the viewer to see relationships between the earthly structures and the divine. Consider the function of drawing in Foggini's practice: is it merely a preparatory tool, or does it stand alone as a field for experimentation? The linear quality of the ink strokes is a key component, delineating forms while also allowing for a sense of openness and possibility. This visual approach extends beyond mere representation, inviting us to ponder the interplay between the structural and the ethereal.