Sangallo family

The Sangallo family was a prominent dynasty of Italian architects and draftsmen whose collective activity is documented primarily between 1500 and 1530. Their output specialized in detailed architectural study, military engineering, and the careful transcription and analysis of classical Roman sources.

The extant works highlight their systematic approach to classical theory. A significant portion of their draftsmanship is dedicated to studying the architectural treatise of Vitruvius, evident in the surviving manuscript sections such as Recto: "Libro Primo, Chapo Quarto..." (Vitruvius, Book 1, Chapter 4). These studies detail practical and theoretical concerns, including the fortification of city walls and the lay-out of cities according to classical prescriptions.

The family’s technical expertise is further confirmed by precise documentation of Roman ruins, including the measured drawing Architectural Study: The Measured Profiles of the Cornice and Entablature of the "Colonnacce" from the Forum Transitorium. Other drawings capture the elevation of Roman temples and basilicas in ruins, sometimes inspired by the work of family progenitor Giuliano da Sangallo.

Nine documented works, consisting of drawings and one manuscript, are represented in museum collections, specifically held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These highly detailed architectural studies are available today as downloadable artwork, providing valuable insight into High Renaissance drafting techniques. Reproductions are often sought as high-quality prints, reflecting the historical and museum-quality importance of these Sangallo family prints.