S. Michele in Foro in Lucca 2 - 1830

Friedrich Maximilian Hessemer made this drawing of S. Michele in Foro in Lucca with graphite on paper. Here we have the bones of a building laid bare on the page, revealing its structure in the most fundamental way. Hessemer has used linear perspective to give the drawing depth and volume. But it’s the painstaking repetition of arches and columns, all drawn by hand, that gives the image its power. The very act of drawing each tiny detail becomes a form of labor, mirroring the countless hours of work required to build the church itself. We’re reminded that architecture is a collective enterprise, relying on the skills of stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and many others. A drawing like this gives us insight into not just the design of the building, but also the social context that made it possible. It challenges us to see the immense amount of work involved in what we often take for granted.