Sketch for a wall panel in the Sala Paolina at Castel Sant' Angelo, Rome 1541 - 1551

This ink drawing on paper was made by Perino del Vaga in the 16th century, as a sketch for a wall panel in the Sala Paolina at Castel Sant' Angelo, Rome. It's fascinating to consider the qualities of the materials used: the humble paper, the fluidity of ink, and the directness of the hand. The sketch presents two draped female figures flanking a central panel with swags of fruit and foliage. Del Vaga's loose yet confident lines convey a sense of movement and dynamism. But consider what this drawing is *for*. It’s a proposal for a much larger, more elaborate work. The final wall panel would have been executed in fresco, a labor-intensive process requiring careful planning and the coordination of skilled artisans. This drawing then, embodies the early stages of a complex, collaborative process, one ultimately intended to create an illusion of grandeur within the opulent Sala Paolina. This initial stage of the design process serves as a reminder of the labour-intensive nature of Renaissance art and the skilled craftsmanship that underpinned even the most seemingly effortless creations.