''Ben-Hur'' original set design artwork for the 1959 epic MGM film. Set is labeled ''Messala's Villa'', Ben-Hur's childhood friend who becomes commander of the Roman garrison and a nemesis in the film. The film's production included 300 sets scattered over 148 acres in Italy, so expansive in scope, they became an immediate tourist attraction as the largest sets ever created. The MGM Art Department produced more than 15,000 sketches for the film; their hard work paid off as the department won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction (Color). Rendered in pencil and gouache on illustration board, set design depicts the architecture of the villa with angles and scaling notes included. Certain notations are in Italian as the sets were of course built in Italy. Measures 14.75'' x 11.5'' with additional pencil sketch notations to verso. Minor bending to corners and a stapled extra piece of board to top right corner. Near fine.