Courtyard of the Villa Pliniana
1770
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1770
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a grand courtyard with tall columns and a balcony above. People in old-fashioned clothes stand near the edge, talking. A dog lies on the ground, and a fountain sits in the center. The walls and arches look like stone, but the sky above is just a light wash of blue. The artist used quick, loose lines to capture the scene—like a fast sketch. The colors are soft and muted, with lots of gray and beige. Next, check out Baroque to see how drama and movement shaped this style.
