Fantasy of Magnificent Courtyards and Loggie with a Monumental Staircase
1774
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1774
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a grand, imaginary courtyard with tall arches and columns. The walls are made of smooth stone blocks, and the arches curve high above. A wide staircase leads up to a balcony with ornate railings, and there’s a statue in the center of the courtyard. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth and texture, making the stone look real. This style was popular in the early 1770s, when artists loved blending imagination with real architecture. Look up cross-hatching to see how artists use lines to make shadows.
