A Design for a Wall Decoration or Fountain

1590s?

Cherubino Alberti

Associated Names
Cherubino Alberti

Artist, Roman, 1553 - 1615

The image shows a drawing of a sculptural niche featuring a central figure of a standing nude woman, flanked by two smaller nude figures on either side. Above the central figure is an ornate cartouche with decorative motifs, and at the top, two small winged figures are present. The sculpture is set within an architectural alcove with columns and arches. The drawing is in a monochromatic sepia tone, indicating it is rendered in ink or wash on paper. The subject within the niche appears intricately designed with flowing drapery and organic forms, giving it a sense of grandeur and elegance as would be seen in a classical architectural setting.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of David H. McDonnell

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 42.9 × 24.5 cm (16 7/8 × 9 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2018.20.2


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Michel Gaud [born 1940] Saint-Tropez (Lugt 3482). (sale, Piasa, 26 March 2010, no. 9, as "attributed to Cherubino Alberti"). (Stephen Ongpin Fine Art, London); David H. McDonnell, Arlington, VA; gift to NGA, 2018.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2014

  • Master Drawings 2014. Stephen Ongpin Fine Art at Mark Murray Fine Paintings, New York, January 2014, no. 3 (color).

Inscriptions

lower left in brown ink: Cristofano Rosa detto / Dal Vasari / il Bresciano

Wikidata ID

Q64539814

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