Wall Elevation with a Window and Statues of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Peter in Niches 1556 - 1641

Lazzaro Tavarone made this drawing with pen and brown ink, and brown wash over black chalk underdrawing, in the late 16th or early 17th century. It’s a design for an architectural elevation. Look closely, and you’ll see the artist used a grid to organize the composition. This is an example of intellectual labor, mapped out to guide the work of building trades. The drawing shows niches for sculptures of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Peter. We can imagine masons and sculptors putting their skills into action, carving stone to realize this vision. Notice how the ink wash creates shadows, giving depth and volume to the design. The artistic skill lies not just in the drawing itself, but in translating abstract ideas into practical instructions for other makers. The drawing visualizes the process and makes it tangible. Ultimately, this reminds us that fine art is often deeply intertwined with craft and construction, each dependent on the other.