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The Piazza of Saint Peter's Seen through an Arch of the Basilica

Giacomo Quarenghi

National Gallery of Art

The image shows an architectural space with an ornate archway leading to an open plaza. In the distance, there is a tall obelisk surrounded by statues and colonnades. The ceiling is intricately decorated with golden motifs, contrasting with the blue sky seen through the archway. The precise brushstrokes capture the detailed decorations. The color palette includes earthy tones for the architecture, gold for the ceiling, and blue for the sky. Geometric patterns on the floor direct the eye towards the plaza.

Artwork Details

Date
1778/1779
Medium
pen and black ink and watercolor, over graphite and pinholes for guidelines, on medium wove paper
Dimensions
5800 × 6632 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original