Design for a Church Facade 17th century

This is an ink on paper drawing of a church facade by an anonymous artist. The orderly arrangement of columns and classical ornamentation speaks to enduring values within the architecture of the Catholic church. Likely Italian, this drawing would have been made at a time when the church was a powerful political institution, capable of commissioning vast building projects to reflect its cultural dominance. The design combines references to ancient Roman architecture with newer Renaissance styles. Columns, pediments, and decorative carvings evoke an image of authority. The Latin inscription above the door further emphasizes the learned traditions upheld by the church. To fully understand the context in which this drawing was made, we can look to studies of architectural history and religious institutions. It also helps to compare this drawing to surviving examples of church architecture, and understand how such buildings were used to create a sense of awe in the faithful.