Design for a Trompe-l'oeil Ceiling Decoration

c. 1780

Pietro de Angelis

Associated Names
Pietro de Angelis

Artist, Venetian, c. 1730s - 1800 or later

This is a drawing of the ornate ceiling of a grand architectural structure. The full-description shows a dramatic ceiling view, dominated by rows of vertical columns. Each column is intricately detailed, showcasing a classical architectural style, complete with decorative capitals and bases. Central to this composition, there is a rectangular inset featuring faint sketches of figures. The detailed cornices and moldings add further elegance, creating a sense of depth. The use of shading and perspective gives this drawing a vivid three-dimensional effect, illustrating the artist's mastery in architectural rendering.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and black ink with gray wash and graphite on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 59.8 × 45 cm (23 9/16 × 17 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2016.66.1


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Galerie Bassenge, Berlin, 26 November 2010, no. 6330). (Marty de Cambiaire, Paris); purchased 2016 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

n.d.

  • Marty de Cambiaire, Emmanuel and Laurie. Christmas Catalogue. (Paris, n.d. [2015]): no. 32

Inscriptions

by later hand, lower right in brown ink: [not deciphered] de Angelis Romany Invenit et fecit; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: Rect A04 III-08 Priv Youv

Wikidata ID

Q64619674

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