The Arrival of Aesculapius in Rome
1700
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1700
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Arrival of Aesculapius in Rome is a 1700 ink by François Boitard, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a busy scene with a group of people gathered around a large, winged snake slithering toward them. In the background, there’s a mix of grand buildings with columns and a ship sailing near a tower. Some figures look surprised or worried, while others point or kneel on the ground. The snake is the main focus—it’s wrapped around a tall pole, which might be a sign of something important arriving. The artist used quick, sketchy lines and shading to fill in the details, giving it a lively but unfinished feel. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists like this one build up shadows with layers of lines.
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