The Temple of Minerva Medica
1750
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1750
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Temple of Minerva Medica is a 1750 graphite by French 18th Century, a Baroque work, depicting ruins, held at National Gallery of Art.
You see a round brick building with tall arched windows. Ivy climbs its walls. The structure looks ancient but the drawing is fresh. This is a watercolor study from 1770. The artist copied a real Roman ruin called the Temple of Minerva Medica. He used fine layers of paint, called glazing, to show soft light on the bricks. Try another watercolor with glazing at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
