Two Alternate Designs for a Doorway

Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century Italian

ca. 1730–60

Not on view

The artist who drew this design has made clever use of his sheet of paper by combining two different variations for the design of a marble doorway in one drawing. Since Baroque art was characterized by its symmetry, only one half of the design sufficed to create an understanding of the whole. The drawing was bought as part of a large group of Piedmontese designs for interior architecture, which illustrate the transitions in style from Baroque to Rococo and finally Neoclassicism. This design in particular is interesting because it incorporates the transition from the late Baroque to the Rococo style. The overall, somewhat austere character of the architecture is still typical for the Baroque, but the ornaments on top of the door frame herald the new interest in the whimsical rocaille ornaments which resemble shell shapes or the crest of a wave.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Two Alternate Designs for a Doorway
Artist: Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century
Date: ca. 1730–60
Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and brown, gray, yellow, and red wash, over leadpoint or graphite
Dimensions: Sheet: 7-11/16 x 5-11/16 in. (19.55 x 14.4 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1965
Object Number: 65.653.39
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century

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Design for an Altar, Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century Italian, Pen and dark brown ink over leadpoint or graphite, with ruled and compass construction — Design for an Altar
Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century
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Design for One Half of the Apsidal Space Enclosing an Organ, Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century Italian, Pen and brown ink over leadpoint — Design for One Half of the Apsidal Space Enclosing an Organ
Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century
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Design for Wall Decoration with Doors on both Sides of a Tall and Narrow Frame, Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century Italian, Graphite, brush and gray wash, with ruled construction — Design for Wall Decoration with Doors on both Sides of a Tall and Narrow Frame
Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century
1700–1780

Fragmentary design for Base or Pedestal (?), Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over leadpoint or graphite, with some ruled construction — Fragmentary design for Base or Pedestal (?)
Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century
1700–1780

Two One Half Variant Designs for an Altar and a Chapel, Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, over leadpoint or graphite, with ruled construction — Two One Half Variant Designs for an Altar and a Chapel
Anonymous, Italian, Piedmontese, 18th century
1700–1780

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