Design for a ceiling fresco with scenes from the life of Saint Barbara 1745 - 1798

This drawing by Johann Baptist Enderle, dated between 1745 and 1798, is a design for a ceiling fresco depicting scenes from the life of Saint Barbara. The artwork, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, shows a central scene of Saint Barbara surrounded by angels, set against a backdrop of architectural elements. The composition is designed to be viewed from below, mimicking the perspective of someone looking up at a fresco on a ceiling. This is a typical approach for ceiling designs, as it allows the viewer to appreciate the full scope of the artwork. Enderle's design reveals the planning and artistry behind the creation of such intricate religious works.