ORThe Open Room
Digital gallery
Back to the NGA collection
This is a drawing of a mythical and architectural scene. Figures are arranged around a large architectural structure. Atop the structure is a column capped with a statue or bust, and a group of figures, including some engaged in activities related to celestial objects, such as manipulating an armillary sphere or holding tools like compasses. Above them, more figures appear to hover in or descend from the sky, with clouds surrounding them. The drawing is detailed with a remarkable use of shade and line, giving a sense of movement and interaction among the figures.
Read the visual description

This is a drawing of a mythical and architectural scene. Figures are arranged around a large architectural structure. Atop the structure is a column capped with a statue or bust, and a group of figures, including some engaged in activities related to celestial objects, such as manipulating an armillary sphere or holding tools like compasses. Above them, more figures appear to hover in or descend from the sky, with clouds surrounding them. The drawing is detailed with a remarkable use of shade and line, giving a sense of movement and interaction among the figures.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

An Allegory of Wisdom and the Arts

Franz Karl Palko

Date
1750/1755
Medium
pen and brown ink with gray wash and touches of black chalk over graphite on laid paper, adhered to an historic mount
Dimensions
sheet: 34.3 x 28.5 cm (13 1/2 x 11 1/4 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2007.111.138
Credit line
Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, Patrons' Permanent Fund
Time span
1726 to 1750
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • architecture
  • Sculptor
  • Mirror
  • Czech
  • Sky
  • Building
  • Figures
Provenance

Princes of Liechtenstein, Vienna and Vaduz (Lugt 4398). Richard Tüngel [1893-1970], Ahrensburg. Wolfgang Ratjen, Munich; purchased 2007 by NGA.

Inscription

at bottom left in graphite: Carl Palko; verso, at center in graphite: 112; at bottom right in brown ink: Carl Palko. 1 St[?] 30

Watermarks

crozier (partial)

NGA object ID 139206. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.