Who painted An Imperial Tomb: Elevation and Ground Plan?

An Imperial Tomb: Elevation and Ground Plan was painted by Antonio da Sangallo in 1530.

Where can I see An Imperial Tomb: Elevation and Ground Plan?

An Imperial Tomb: Elevation and Ground Plan is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is An Imperial Tomb: Elevation and Ground Plan?

An Imperial Tomb: Elevation and Ground Plan is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

An Imperial Tomb: Elevation and Ground Plan

Antonio da Sangallo , 1530

An Imperial Tomb: Elevation and Ground Plan is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Antonio da Sangallo. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Antonio da Sangallo’s drawing, titled An Imperial Tomb: Elevation and Ground Plan, dates from around 1530. Executed on laid paper, the work combines pen and brown ink with a wash applied over blind stylus lines, presenting both a vertical elevation and a horizontal layout of a tomb design.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a blind stylus to incise faint guidelines before overlaying them with brown ink and a subtle wash, a method that emphasizes structural clarity while preserving a delicate tonal balance. This approach reflects the Renaissance practice of integrating precise drafting with illustrative shading to convey architectural intent.

History & Provenance

Created in the early sixteenth century, the drawing is attributed to Sangallo, a prominent architect of the period. Its provenance traces back to collections of architectural drawings, though specific ownership records prior to its museum acquisition remain limited.