An Architectural Study with an Atlantid
1650
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1650
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a half-human, half-column figure—called an *atlantid*—holding up what looks like a building. The lines are loose and sketchy, with quick strokes for the body and swirling details for the architecture above. The paper is faded, and some areas are smudged, like the sky or clouds at the top. The word *"amore"* (love) is scrawled near the figure’s arm, maybe as a note or title. The style feels fast, like a rough draft for a bigger project. If you like this sketchy style, look up cross-hatching next.
