Design for Interior Corner of a Frieze or a Stairwell 1645 - 1755

This anonymous drawing from the 17th century, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a design for an interior corner of a frieze or stairwell. The drawing depicts a detailed and elaborate design featuring a central urn, surrounded by cherubic figures and intricate swirling patterns. The artist uses a pen and brown ink to depict the design, which suggests a preliminary study for a larger decorative project, potentially for a grand palace or a significant public building. The design exemplifies the artistic trends of the period, characterized by the use of classical motifs and elaborate ornamentation in a style influenced by the Baroque era.