An Academy of Painters 1600 - 1638

Pierfrancesco Alberti's "An Academy of Painters" is an undated engraving that presents a scene teeming with artistic activity. The composition is structured by the receding lines of the tiled floor, drawing the eye toward a vanishing point and creating a stage-like space filled with figures and objects. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the contrast between light and shadow, accentuating the textures of the various surfaces and forms. Alberti uses a network of fine lines to define the contours and volumes of the figures. This adds depth and complexity to the composition. The placement of the skeleton and the draped figure for life drawing might be read as a comment on the artist's role to capture life's essence, or a *memento mori*. Alberti’s structured approach to form and space invites us to consider how the artist translates observation into structured visual language.