Allegorical Figures for a Ceiling Decoration 1615 - 1664

Michel Corneille the Elder's "Allegorical Figures for a Ceiling Decoration" (1615-1664) is a preparatory drawing for a ceiling painting. It shows three figures in a dynamic composition, with a central female figure holding a child aloft. The drawing, executed in black chalk on paper, displays a sense of movement and energy, typical of the Baroque style, and is a testament to Corneille’s skill in creating dynamic compositions. The work is currently part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's permanent collection in New York.