Halved Design for an Altar 1700 - 1780

This is a halved design for an altar, created by an anonymous artist using pen and black ink, with gray wash over graphite. The altar design speaks volumes about the power and wealth of the church, and the institutions that grew around it, at the time it was made. Looking closely, we see the visual codes of power in the elaborate decorations. The grand columns, detailed ornamentation, and overall scale suggest not just a place of worship, but one designed to impress and inspire awe. We can imagine that this drawing was made in Europe, where the church commissioned talented artists to create beautiful architecture. The study of church records, architectural drawings, and social histories of the period, help us to understand the design better. Art like this reminds us that artistic creation is deeply tied to the social, economic, and institutional context of its time.