Artwork
Design for an Altar
Design for an Altar is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist Giovanni Battista Castello. It dates from 1554 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Design for an Altar is a drawing by Giovanni Battista Castello, created around 1554. It is a pen and ink work with brown wash on laid paper, held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a hypothetical altar framed by columns and topped with a curved arch featuring a checkerboard pattern. The altar's sides are adorned with carved details, suggesting a design for a church or chapel. The empty central space implies that this is a preliminary plan rather than a representation of an existing structure.
Technique & Style
Castello employed pen and brown ink with brown wash to create a sense of depth and volume. The use of varying line weights and possibly cross-hatching techniques contributes to the drawing's three-dimensional appearance.
Artist & collection
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