Study for a Reliquary Sarcophagus
1662
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1662
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Study for a Reliquary Sarcophagus is a 1662 ink by Giovanni Odazzi, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a fancy stone slab with two winged figures kneeling at each end. The slab has ornate carvings along the sides, and the figures hold up a vase with feathers and flowers in the middle. Everything is sketched in brown ink, with soft shading to give it depth. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to capture the details, almost like a quick note for a bigger project. The feathers and flowers look delicate, but the stonework is bold and heavy. If you like this style, check out more about Baroque.
