Design for an Altar
1536
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1536
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a busy altar design. At the top is a framed scene of a battle between people and animals. Below it sits a round shield with a coat of arms. On either side, winged figures hold up the structure, looking like they’re supporting it. The artist packed lots of small details into the carvings and patterns. The lines and shading make the figures and decorations look three-dimensional. Look up cross-hatching next to see how artists create depth with lines.
