Piero (10) Piero della Francesca (1415/17-1492)

The drawing presents a schematic representation of shadow planes within an architectural structure resembling a portico or colonnade. Executed in stark white lines against a black background, it prioritizes geometric precision over representational detail. The composition is dominated by the orthogonal arrangement of horizontal and vertical lines that define the building’s framework.
Here we see a figure positioned centrally beneath the porticos overhang; its form is simplified to an outline, suggesting a human presence without specific identity or emotional expression. Lines radiate outward from this figure, meticulously charting the angles and extent of shadows cast by the structure above. These lines are not merely descriptive but appear as calculated projections, emphasizing the interplay between light and architecture.
The diagrammatic nature of the work implies an analytical intent; it is less concerned with aesthetic beauty than with a precise deconstruction of spatial relationships. The inclusion of numerical notations – “1” and “2” – near some shadow planes further reinforces this sense of methodical examination, suggesting that these elements are being quantified or referenced within a larger system.
The absence of color and the stark contrast heighten the drawing’s conceptual weight. It moves beyond a simple depiction to become an exploration of perspective, light, and architectural form – a visual essay on how shadow defines space. The text accompanying the image clarifies that this is a diagram related to a work by Thomas V. Czarnowski, indicating it serves as a study or analytical tool rather than a standalone artwork.