Sketch for an Altar of Saint Bartholomew n.d.

This is Andrea Pozzo's "Sketch for an Altar of Saint Bartholomew" at the Art Institute of Chicago. It's rendered in ink on paper. The drawing presents a wealth of architectural elements, primarily defined by line work and calculated proportions. The composition is dominated by a central rectangular frame, presumably for an altarpiece, flanked by ornate spiral columns. The architectural design employs both linear precision and detailed ornamentation; a visual system of signification where every scroll, volute, and measurement contributes to the overall semantic richness. Pozzo's drawing, in its detailed execution and measured proportions, not only serves a functional purpose but also engages with broader cultural discourses about perspective, space, and the divine. Notice the careful attention to detail and the integration of mathematical principles, suggesting an engagement with the philosophical ideas of the time. The sketch is more than a preliminary study; it's a structured exploration of form and meaning.