Artwork

Ornamental design, probably for a title page: a figure of Time resting on a cartouche held up by a pair of tritons and holding a clock

Ornamental design, probably for a title page: a figure of Time resting on a cartouche held up by a pair of tritons and holding a clock is a drawing by Domenico Piola. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The drawing, attributed to the Genoese artist Domenico Piola, presents an ornamental composition likely meant for a title page. Central to the design is a reclining figure personifying Time, positioned on a decorative cartouche that is upheld by two marine figures, or tritons, while the figure of Time grasps a clock.

Subject & Meaning

Time is rendered as a classical allegorical figure, a common motif in Baroque iconography, symbolizing the passage and measurement of moments. The inclusion of tritons—mythical sea beings—serves to frame the central allegory, while the clock reinforces the theme of temporality.

Technique & Style

Executed in pen and ink with wash applied over an underdrawing in red chalk, the work displays fine linear detail and subtle tonal modulation. The wash creates depth in the drapery and musculature, while the red chalk underlayer provides a warm foundation for the ink lines.

Context

Piola, active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, frequently produced decorative designs for printed works and architectural projects. This drawing exemplifies his skill in creating elaborate, narrative-driven ornamentation suitable for book frontispieces and similar applications.