Artwork

Figures Near the Ruins of a Corinthian Temple (recto); Fragment of an Arch (tracing from recto) (verso)

Figures Near the Ruins of a Corinthian Temple (recto); Fragment of an Arch (tracing from recto) (verso) is a drawing by the Baroque artist Andrea Locatelli. It dates from 1704 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This drawing, dated to around 1704, is a work by Andrea Locatelli, an Italian artist known for his detailed landscape views. The recto features figures amidst ancient temple ruins, while the verso contains a fragmentary sketch of an arch.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a group of people interacting with the remnants of a classical Corinthian temple, reflecting the 18th-century fascination with idealized ruins and picturesque landscapes.

Technique & Style

Executed in soft grays and whites, the sketch features loose, rapid lines, suggesting a preparatory study for a larger work. The faded, ethereal quality of the drawing is characteristic of Locatelli's vedute style.