
Read the visual description
The image shows two sculpted figures on the facade of a building. The figures are likely atlantes, which are male figures used as architectural supports. Both figures are depicted in a classical style with muscular builds. The figure on the left has its hands placed behind its head, while the figure on the right also has its arms bent and hands raised above its head. The figures are draped with cloth around their lower bodies, and there are intricate carved details such as floral garlands and swirling decorative elements. The sculpture is monochromatic, suggesting it is made of stone or plaster. Each figure is intricately carved with attention to anatomical detail. The setting suggests a baroque or classical architectural style with ornate embellishments framing the figures.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
Atlases on the Wallpavillon of the Dresden Zwinger
Adolph Menzel
- Date
- 1880
- Medium
- graphite with stumping, on wove paper
- Dimensions
- sheet: 32.3 x 24.4 cm (12 11/16 x 9 5/8 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 2007.111.126
- Credit line
- Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, Patrons' Permanent Fund
- Time span
- 1876 to 1900
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- architecture
- German
- figure
- Statue
Provenance
Estate of the artist. (Gerd Rosen [1903-1961]), Berlin. Richard Tüngel [1893-1970], Ahrensburg; Wolfgang Ratjen, Munich; purchased 2007 by NGA.
Inscription
monogrammed and dated at lower center in graphite: A. M./13 Aug./1880; verso at upper right: 79[underlined]/36; at lower right: 392 [underlined]; below that: 933; and next to that: 23491 [?]
Watermarks
none
NGA object ID 139216. 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.