The Water Organ in the Gardens of the Villa d'Este, Tivoli

About this work

This sketch shows a small stone tower with a pointed roof, surrounded by trees and bushes. In front of the tower, there’s a bridge leading to a dome-shaped structure, likely the water organ. The drawing is loose and quick, with rough lines and shading that suggest shadows and texture in the trees and rocks. The artist used simple graphite strokes to capture light and shape, focusing on the tower’s solid form against the softer greenery. This style fits a time when artists often sketched quickly to study scenes. Next, look up Baroque to see how this sketch’s energy connects to the movement’s bold, dramatic style.