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The image shows a drawing of a sculptural niche featuring a central figure of a standing nude woman, flanked by two smaller nude figures on either side. Above the central figure is an ornate cartouche with decorative motifs, and at the top, two small winged figures are present. The sculpture is set within an architectural alcove with columns and arches. The drawing is in a monochromatic sepia tone, indicating it is rendered in ink or wash on paper. The subject within the niche appears intricately designed with flowing drapery and organic forms, giving it a sense of grandeur and elegance as would be seen in a classical architectural setting.
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The image shows a drawing of a sculptural niche featuring a central figure of a standing nude woman, flanked by two smaller nude figures on either side. Above the central figure is an ornate cartouche with decorative motifs, and at the top, two small winged figures are present. The sculpture is set within an architectural alcove with columns and arches. The drawing is in a monochromatic sepia tone, indicating it is rendered in ink or wash on paper. The subject within the niche appears intricately designed with flowing drapery and organic forms, giving it a sense of grandeur and elegance as would be seen in a classical architectural setting.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Design for a Wall Decoration or Fountain

Cherubino Alberti

Date
1590s?
Medium
pen and brown ink and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 42.9 × 24.5 cm (16 7/8 × 9 5/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2018.20.2
Credit line
Gift of David H. McDonnell
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • architecture
  • figure
  • Fountain
Provenance

Michel Gaud [born 1940] Saint-Tropez (Lugt 3482). (sale, Piasa, 26 March 2010, no. 9, as "attributed to Cherubino Alberti"). (Stephen Ongpin Fine Art, London); David H. McDonnell, Arlington, VA; gift to NGA, 2018.

Inscription

lower left in brown ink: Cristofano Rosa detto / Dal Vasari / il Bresciano

NGA object ID 215881. 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.