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Drawing for a Ceiling Fresco

Unknown

1733

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century

Dominant colour

Drawing for a Ceiling Fresco is a 1733 ink by Unknown, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1733 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows two figures tangled in mid-air, their bodies twisted like they’re caught in a sudden, wild movement. One has wings and a crown of leaves, while the other clutches something small, maybe a tool or a branch. The lines are loose and fast, with ink blending into soft brown washes—no hard edges, just swirling energy. The paper looks old, with faint creases along the edges, as if it’s been handled a lot. The artist didn’t smooth out the strokes; the ink bleeds slightly, giving it a rough, urgent feel. Next, look up Baroque to see how this sketch fits into that dramatic, movement-filled style.