Ceiling Decoration with the Allegories of the Four Continents and the Signs of the Zodiac 1650 - 1700

This anonymous drawing, dating from 1650 to 1700, is a design for a ceiling decoration. The work depicts the allegorical figures of the four continents, as well as the signs of the zodiac, all surrounded by elaborate decorative motifs. The drawing is a beautiful example of Baroque style, characterized by its dramatic use of light and shadow, dynamic composition, and rich ornamentation. The work is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY.