Illusionistic Ceiling with a Grape Arbor, Figures Poised on Galleries, and a Central Scene of Olympian Gods

c. 1580/1590

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The image features architectural designs and mythological figures. It displays a complex composition with segmented sections showcasing architectural elements like arches and columns, paired with mythological imagery. The upper part shows dynamic figures within swirling clouds and horses. In the center, there is a circular scene with additional figures in a sculptural arrangement. The right side is adorned with floral ornamentation and decorative patterns. The drawing reflects a style reminiscent of a Renaissance or Mannerist artist, emphasizing strong architectural forms and intricate mythical themes.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with brown wash, heightened with white, over black chalk on brown paper (sheet enlarged at right and bottom by the artist)

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 39.7 x 26.6 cm (15 5/8 x 10 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1994.48.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

The painter Anne-Louis Girodet de Roucy-Trioson, Paris (1767-1824); by descent in the Girodet-Trioson family; Philippe Huart; (Emmanuel Moatti, Paris); purchased by NGA, 1994.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1994

  • Old Master Drawings, Emmanuel Moatti, Paris and Jack Kilgore & Co., Inc., New York, 1994, no. 12 (as attributed to Toussaint Dubreuil).

2023

  • Looking Up: Studies for Ceilings, 1550-1800, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 2023.

Wikidata ID

Q64578968

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