Domus Augustiana, cornice, profile projection (recto) Ara Grimani, base (verso) 1500 - 1560

This 16th-century drawing, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a technical drawing by an anonymous artist depicting the profile of the cornice and base of two architectural elements. On the left, a portion of the cornice of the Domus Augustiana, a Roman palace in Rome, is shown with detailed ornamentation. The opposite side features a profile view of the base of the Ara Grimani, a Renaissance altar in Venice. The drawing likely served as a study for a larger project or a record of the architectural elements. The precise measurements and annotations across the page suggest it was a work tool rather than an artistic statement. This drawing offers insights into the methods and aesthetic considerations of 16th-century architectural design, showcasing the Renaissance's fascination with classical forms.