Fantasy Panorama of Rome from St. Peter's to the Castel San Angelo
1820
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1820
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a wide view of Rome, drawn in pencil. You can see a big dome in the distance, likely St. Peter’s Basilica, and a long bridge over a river. Buildings line the riverbank, with trees and a garden wall in the foreground. The artist left big empty spaces around the edges, like they were just starting to fill them in. The loose, sketchy lines make it feel like a quick study rather than a finished drawing. It’s all in graphite, so the shading is soft and light. Next, check out the National Gallery of Art, Washington to see this sketch in person.
