Arched Ruins: Original Graphite Drawing with Resting Sheep

No AI involved: just old-school art.

The original drawing by Paula Kuitenbrouwer, Dutch artist, framed with an off-white passe-partout.

A chalk and ink drawing by Joachim von Sandrart of Baden van Diocletianus, Rome 1631, owned by Nuremberg, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, prompted me to make this graphite drawing.

I replaced Sandrart’s human figures with resting sheep. Two of the human figures were so small I only noticed them while drawing the third arch. I drew the two sheep as small as Sandrart drew his human figures, emphasizing the scale of the ruins.

The ink drawing interested me because the ruins show—a series of arches from Sandrart’s perspective. Do you see the three arches?

This repetitive perspective creates depth and a drawing full of symbolism. We feel that significant events are like passing a gate. We replace one place or lifestyle for another, never to return. Our lives consist of walking from one place to another, transforming ourselves, accepting change.

A perfect gift for someone who loves classical drawings, the Dutch Golden Age in which artists left their studios to travel to Mediterranean landscapes.

Also for someone going through life changes, transformations, or spiritual growth. The two resting sheep show that we do not have to hurry. Time passes; we should relax even amid life’s turbulence.

This mounted drawing can be framed, but that isn’t strictly necessary. Many place it on their shelves as it is, minimalist-style.

Paula Kuitenbrouwer
Artist & Owner at www.paulakuitenbrouwer.com