18th-century Italian Architectural Drawing, Monumental Loggia In Perspective, 1785 Signed

18th-Century Italian Architectural Drawing, Monumental Loggia in Perspective, 1785

Medium: pen and iron gall ink, watercolour washes and graphite on laid paper.
Sheet dimensions: 77.5 × 52.5 cm.
Italian school, late 18th century.
Signed and dated in ink: “Luigi Grattagrassi Pontremolese Prima Classe 1785”.

This large architectural drawing preserves both the finished view and the geometric construction behind it. In the upper part, a succession of arcades, colonnades and staircases forms a monumental loggia. Light watercolour washes distinguish the different planes and emphasise the depth of the galleries. In the lower part, the graphite grid, construction lines and vanishing point show how the artist laid out the perspective.

The rhythm of the arcades and the depth of the composition recall the architectural perspectives and stage designs of the Galli Bibiena family, whose influence spread throughout Italy in the 18th century. The words “Prima Classe” beside the signature suggest that the sheet may have been produced as part of academic training in architectural drawing and perspective.

The Dutch laid paper bears a watermark combining a heraldic shield with the mark of J. Honig & Zoonen, papermakers in Zaandijk, in the Netherlands. Comparable watermarks are documented on architectural drawings from the 1780s held at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid.

The reverse bears an elaborate calligraphic flourish in pen and ink, probably drawn as a penmanship exercise.

The drawing is mounted on acid-free conservation board to reduce the risk of deterioration from contact with the backing. The L-shaped mount uses Japanese paper hinges secured with a stable, reversible adhesive and allows the reverse to be viewed. The hinges can be removed by lightly moistening the attachment points.

The drawing is mounted on acid-free conservation board to reduce the risk of deterioration from contact with the backing. The L-shaped mount uses Japanese paper hinges secured with a stable, reversible adhesive and allows the reverse to be viewed. The hinges can be removed by lightly moistening the attachment points.