Roman Prison
1701
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1701
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a grand, crumbling stone building with two wide staircases meeting in the middle. Arches and columns line the hallways, some with people walking or standing. The walls look old and worn, with patches of faded paint. A balcony runs along the top, and a lantern hangs near the stairs. The artist used thin ink lines and soft washes of brown and gray to show texture and depth. The people are small, almost like afterthoughts compared to the big, heavy architecture. Next, check out how artists used gouache to add highlights and shadows in their sketches.
