Ancient ruins in and near Rome
1778
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1778
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This sketch shows a row of tall, ornate columns with detailed carvings at the top. The columns stretch upward and lean slightly, as if part of a grand, broken structure. Behind them, faint outlines suggest a building with a sloped roof and a small tower. The artist focused on the lines and shapes of ancient architecture, using light pencil strokes to define each curve. This style was common when artists studied ruins to understand the past. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.
![The Erectheum, West Elevation [left half]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/10b9b48e87f30a0f/thumb.webp)
