Study for the Decoration of a Vault 1532 - 1577

Orazio Samacchini's "Study for the Decoration of a Vault" is a detailed pen and ink drawing depicting a decorative scheme for a vaulted ceiling. The artwork is characteristic of the Mannerist style, with its emphasis on elaborate ornamentation and the use of contrasting light and shadow. The drawing features a central column, adorned with grotesque figures, and two figures reclining on a balcony above. The composition is asymmetrical and visually dynamic, reflecting the Mannerist emphasis on the artificial and the theatrical. This drawing, likely a preparatory study for a larger mural, demonstrates Samacchini's meticulous attention to detail and his mastery of illusionistic perspective.