Architecture of the Middle Ages: Cathedral, Abbeville
1838
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1838
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This sketch shows a busy street in front of a huge, detailed cathedral. The building has tall towers, pointed arches, and lots of small windows. People in old-fashioned clothes walk, talk, and sit around—some near a covered wagon, others by a shop with hanging fabrics. The street is narrow, with buildings packed close together on one side. The artist focused on how light and shadow make the cathedral look grand. Notice how the dark lines and textures draw your eye upward, making the church seem even bigger. Next, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see this sketch in person.
