A Monumental Archway with Five Bays in the Corinthian Order 1520 - 1585

Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau made this ink drawing of a monumental archway sometime in the 16th century. It showcases an elaborate design featuring the Corinthian order, a popular style in classical architecture, known for its ornate capitals atop the columns. The drawing's material, ink on paper, is quite traditional. However, the subject is not. Instead of depicting an existing building, Du Cerceau has imagined an ideal form. The archway is meant to impress, and this is achieved through careful labor and meticulous detail. The linear quality of the drawing emphasizes the precision required to execute classical architecture. The five bays create a rhythmic, processional effect, as though heralding a grand entrance. Though only a drawing, the archway’s design speaks volumes about the patronage and consumption of art during the Renaissance, reflecting the values of grandeur and permanence. The skills of the artist, and the labor involved, were meant to be self-evident.