Pantheon, vestibule, perspective; panel moulding, profiles (recto) Pantheon, rectangular niche, plan; half round niche, plan (verso) 1500 - 1560

This is a pen and brown ink drawing of the Pantheon in Rome, created by an anonymous artist. The drawing captures a perspective view of the vestibule, including detailed panel mouldings and profiles. The verso side features plans for rectangular and half-round niches. Made during a period when the study of classical architecture was central to artistic training, this drawing reflects the cultural authority of ancient Rome. Architectural drawings like this one were not just technical exercises. They were also a way of connecting to the past and asserting a cultural heritage. We can consider the institutional history of academies and workshops in shaping the artist's approach and the drawing's purpose. To fully understand this work, one might consult architectural treatises, historical surveys of Rome, and collections of drawings by artists studying classical monuments. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.