Preliminary Study for a High Altar in Salem Münster,

1750–51

Feuchtmayer, an architect and sculptor, made this drawing in the early stages of designing the high altar of the cathedral in Salem, Germany. The artist sketched three designs in graphite, —two on the back of this sheet—and then redrew the largest in ink on the front. As was typical of such preliminary drawings, the artist drew only part of the symmetrical architectural frame, but all of the unique sculptural elements. This allowed Feuchtmayer to sketch the repeated details of his design, such as the column capitals, only once, while still showing his studio assistants where the different sculptures would go. Ultimately, the altar went through many such designs before being executed, and its form changed significantly.;