Architecturally-Shaped Tabernacle with a Saint and Four Putti 1520 - 1560

This anonymous drawing from the 16th century is an architectural design for a tabernacle, a structure used to house the Eucharist in Catholic churches. The design features a central niche with a saint, surrounded by four putti, all within a complex and ornate architectural framework. This drawing is a fine example of the High Renaissance style, marked by its focus on classical architecture and the depiction of idealized human forms. The drawing, part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, demonstrates the importance of artistic design in the construction of sacred spaces.