Design for the Temple of Minerva

Finished drawings such as this one were created in Valadier’s workshop either as modelli — presentation drawings to be shown to the patron — or as records of objects produced in the workshop. This drawing relates to the Temple of Minerva, decorated with columns in verde di Corsica marble and with a carved ivory relief in the pediment, which was made for the deser of the Bailli de Breteuil. Now missing in the temple are the three ivory statuettes at the top of the pediment in the drawing.