Design for a sepulchral monument with an allegory of Time; verso: Design for a sepulchral monument

Art Historical Context

This delicate pen-and-ink drawing, created in the late seventeenth or early eighteenth century, offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind Flemish funerary sculpture. Attributed variously to Pieter Verbruggen the Younger, Michiel van der Voort, and an anonymous Flemish draftsman, the sheet presents two distinct designs for elaborate tomb monuments. The recto features an allegory of Time—typically depicted with an hourglass, scythe, or winged figure—reminding viewers of life’s brevity, a theme especially resonant in Baroque church settings where such monuments honored the deceased while conveying moral lessons. Measuring just over nine by six inches, the work demonstrates the careful layering of red and black chalk under brown ink, finished with subtle washes to suggest depth and shadow. This technique allowed sculptors to visualize three-dimensional forms on paper before carving costly stone or marble. The presence of a second design on the verso further reveals how artists reused valuable sheets to explore alternative compositions, reflecting both practical economy and creative experimentation. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2010, the drawing illuminates the collaborative world of Flemish Baroque sculptors, where drawings served as essential bridges between patron, architect, and stone carver.

About the Artist

Pieter Verbruggen the Younger|Anonymous, Flemish, 17th century|Michiel van der Voort (Flemish|Flemish|Flemish) · 1648 |1600 |1667 –1691 |1700 |1737

Flemish, Antwerp 1648–1691 Antwerp| |Flemish, 1667–1737