Design for Wall Decoration with Two Female Figures 1500 - 1600

Niccolò Circignani, or Il Pomarancio, made this design for wall decoration using pen and brown ink with brown wash, likely in Italy. The traditional processes of drawing become something more here, as the artist used these methods to create a design for a wall. The work's material influences its appearance, with the brown ink creating a sense of depth and shadow. Notice how the artist’s skilled hand has imbued the figures with a sense of life, and the architectural details with a sense of grandeur. The processes that Il Pomarancio engaged with belong to the history of both fine arts and architecture. This piece may have been a preparatory drawing for an artisan to then translate the image into stone or plaster. It speaks to the amount of labor involved in the production process, especially at that time. Understanding the materials, making, and social context helps us fully appreciate this artwork, challenging the traditional divide between fine art and craft.