Artwork
Longitudinal Section of a Cathedral for Berlin
Longitudinal Section of a Cathedral for Berlin is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Karl Friedrich Schinkel. It dates from 1827 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Longitudinal Section of a Cathedral for Berlin is a 1827 drawing by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, a prominent Prussian architect and painter. Created with graphite and watercolor on wove paper, it showcases Schinkel's technical skill and design vision.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing presents a detailed cross-section of a cathedral, revealing its internal structure and external form. It was part of a proposal for a Berlin cathedral that was ultimately not constructed.
Technique & Style
Schinkel employed precise graphite lines and soft watercolor washes to convey the building's architecture and the play of light within it. The color palette is subdued, featuring pinks, grays, and blues that enhance the sense of depth and space.
History & Provenance
As a leading designer in early 19th-century Germany, Schinkel was instrumental in shaping Berlin's urban landscape. This drawing reflects his expertise and innovative approach to ecclesiastical design.
Artist & collection
Artist
Karl Friedrich Schinkel (German pronunciation: ; 13 March 1781 – 9 October 1841) was a Prussian architect, city planner and painter who also designed furniture and stage sets.
Campanile of a Cathedral for Berlin
The Façade and Suroundings of a Cathedral for Berlin
Stage Design: A Sepulchral Vault
The Nave and Apse, without a Transept, of a Cathedral for Berlin
The Nave, Apse, and Crossing of a Cathedral for Berlin
Ground Plan of a Cathedral for Berlin
Section of the Crossing and the West End of a Cathedral for Berlin
Das Schloss Prediama in Crein XII Stund: von Triest (Predjama Castle in Carniola, Twelve Hours from Trieste)
