Project for a Chapel 1700 - 1780

This “Project for a Chapel” is an anonymous drawing made with graphite and grey wash on paper. The flat surface is in stark contrast to the depth that the artist is trying to represent, particularly the ornate details of the chapel's architecture. The monochromatic palette and precise lines emphasize the material qualities of stone and plaster. The artist’s skilled hand has imbued the drawing with the weight and texture of these materials, allowing the architecture to appear convincingly three-dimensional. This drawing would have required immense amounts of highly skilled labor, evident in the intricate renderings of decorative moldings and classical details. Though we don't know the name of the artist, their mastery of technique speaks to their training and the historical traditions of architectural drawing. Appreciating the labor, materials, and skill involved in its production helps us move beyond traditional distinctions between art, craft, and design, and grasp the wider cultural significance of this drawing.