Artwork
Piazza with an Equestrian Monument and a Palace
Piazza with an Equestrian Monument and a Palace is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Alessandro Sanquirico. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Alessandro Sanquirico’s drawing entitled *Piazza with an Equestrian Monument and a Palace* depicts an urban square framed by a monumental statue on horseback and an adjoining palace façade. Executed around 1810, the composition presents a balanced perspective of architecture and public space, illustrating the artist’s interest in civic settings.
Technique & Style
The work is rendered in pen and black ink, enhanced with a subtle gray wash applied over a graphite underdrawing. The initial design was transferred by a squared graphite grid onto laid paper, a method that allowed precise scaling and faithful reproduction of architectural details. The monochrome palette emphasizes line work and tonal modeling.
History & Provenance
Created in the early nineteenth century, the drawing reflects Sanquirico’s role as a set designer and architectural illustrator during the Napoleonic and Restoration periods in Italy. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece has been catalogued among his surviving architectural studies, indicating its preservation within collections of historic Italian drafts.
Artist & collection
