Pompeiian Wall Decoration
1803
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1803
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a fake wall with painted decorations. There’s a doorway in the middle, framed with simple lines. Above it, two blue diamond shapes hold tiny paintings of people. The wall has arches with swirls and flowers in soft colors—pinks, greens, and yellows. A chandelier hangs above the door, and small vases sit on shelves. The artist used light washes to make the colors look faded, like old wallpaper. The details are delicate, almost like a sketch turned into decoration. Next, look up technique: watercolor, glazing to see how artists build up colors like this.
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