Sculpture Court of the Casa Sassi in Rome
by HEEMSKERCK, Maerten van, Pen and brown ink with brown wash, 230 x 215 mm
Van Heemskerck travelled to Rome in 1532 and remained in Italy for four or five years. Dozens of his Roman drawings survive, including sixty-three in two sketchbooks today in Berlin. During his stay, Van Heemskerck visited the Casa Sassi, a noted private collection. His drawing depicts the courtyard arrayed with antique statues on pedestals and in niches. Years later, back in Haarlem, Van Heemskerck adapted this drawing for the background of his St Luke Painting the Virgin.