Study for an altarpiece with six pictures set in an ornate structure of frames. Top: The stigmatisation of St Francis, Madonna and Child, St Jerome in the wilderness; bottom: Sts Lawrence, Sebastian and Roch 1460 - 1526

Vittore Carpaccio created this study for an altarpiece with pen and brown ink on paper. The drawing presents an architectural structure of frames within frames, dividing the space into six distinct pictorial narratives. Horizontals and verticals create a grid, organizing each religious scene, with ornate columns adding verticality and a sense of classical order. The use of line is particularly striking. Carpaccio employs fine, detailed strokes to define the contours of the figures, architectural elements, and decorative motifs. This meticulousness gives the drawing a sense of precision and clarity, typical of Renaissance art. However, the drawing is not just a technical exercise; it also engages with ideas about representation and display. The altarpiece structure suggests a dialogue between the sacred images and their architectural context, challenging fixed meanings and inviting ongoing interpretation. The compartmentalization allows for a semiotic reading of individual stories. Ultimately, it is the formal arrangement that invites us to consider not just the religious narratives depicted, but also the ways in which art creates meaning through structure and form.