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This is a drawing of an abstract composition involving intertwined shapes and curves. The drawing features a series of intricate, swirling lines and forms. These shapes include curling motifs and possibly horn-like structures, with the central form resembling drapery or wings. The artist has used pencil or graphite to sketch the design on a light blue-gray paper. The drawing is bordered by a double-lined frame, shaded in tones of red and cream. The composition is dynamic and intricate.
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This is a drawing of an abstract composition involving intertwined shapes and curves. The drawing features a series of intricate, swirling lines and forms. These shapes include curling motifs and possibly horn-like structures, with the central form resembling drapery or wings. The artist has used pencil or graphite to sketch the design on a light blue-gray paper. The drawing is bordered by a double-lined frame, shaded in tones of red and cream. The composition is dynamic and intricate.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

An Ornament with Symbols

Hubert François Gravelot

Medium
graphite, incised for transfer on laid paper; laid down
Dimensions
sheet: 3.9 x 7.9 cm (1 9/16 x 3 1/8 in.) support: 19.8 x 28.3 cm (7 13/16 x 11 1/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1992.87.16
Credit line
Gift of Arthur L. Liebman
Time span
1651 to 1700
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • detail and ornament
  • architecture
  • Rococo
Provenance

Marquis de Fourquevaulx; Emmanuel Bocher (born 1835), Paris; Louis Olry-Roederer, Reims; by inheritance to Olry-Roederer Family, Paris, by 1912; Lucien Goldschmidt, Inc., New York; Arthur Liebman [d. 1991], Lake Forest, IL; bequest 1992, to NGA

Inscription

the following are by later hand and are on the support: lower right in graphite: 29; upper left in graphite: 2D; upper left in graphite: Yes; upper right verso in graphite: II2

NGA object ID 79120. 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.