St Peter's, entablature profile; reflected ceiling details of the cornice, and profiles of column bases and pedestals (recto)St. Peter's, section through drum of model and entablature of upper story (verso)
early to mid-16th century
Medium
Dark brown ink, black chalk, and incised lines
Dimensions
sheet: 23 x 17 5/16 in. (58.4 x 44 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Janos Scholz and Anne Bigelow Scholz, in memory of Flying Officer Walter Bigelow Rosen, RCAF, 1949
Accession Number
49.92.20
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This architectural drawing by Étienne DuPérac captures intricate details of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome during its transformative 16th-century construction. The recto side presents precise profiles of the entablature, cornice, column bases, and pedestals, while the verso offers a sectional view through the drum and upper story. Created in dark brown ink with black chalk and incised lines, these studies reflect the meticulous planning required for one of the Renaissance’s greatest building projects. DuPérac, a French artist active in Rome, specialized in documenting and interpreting the evolving designs of St. Peter’s under architects like Michelangelo. Such drawings served as essential tools for builders, translating grand visions into measurable instructions. They reveal the shift from Renaissance harmony toward the emerging drama of Baroque architecture. Today, this sheet offers visitors a rare glimpse into the collaborative process behind St. Peter’s iconic dome and interior. Its technical precision highlights how drawings bridged imagination and engineering, preserving the creative dialogue that shaped one of the world’s most celebrated sacred spaces.
About the Artist
Etienne DuPérac|Anonymous, French, 16th century · 1535–1604
Comment on works: architect; painter