Design for an Overdoor or Headpiece: Two Reclining Figures and Urn

A pen and gray wash design for an overdoor or headpiece, drawn on tan paper within faint ruled lines. A central urn or vessel rises between two reclining winged figures who lean on a scrolled, leafy base. Shaded modeling and light highlights give the ornament depth.

Look closer: Handwritten inscription 'Lect 2' (or similar) below the ornament.

Artist

Anonymous, Italian, 18th century

Date

18th century

Medium

Pen and gray ink, brush and gray wash, highlighted with white chalk (?); ruled construction lines in graphite or lead

Source

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Size

3935 × 1622 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1952