The Four Elements c. 1530

Giulio Romano rendered this drawing, "The Four Elements," in pen and brown ink wash in sixteenth-century Italy. Romano was a student of Raphael, known for his work in the Vatican, and later became the court artist for Federico Gonzaga in Mantua. Here, we see a classical allegory, visually representing earth, air, fire, and water. Such displays of erudition were popular among artists seeking patronage in the courts of Europe. Romano is referencing classical mythology and philosophy but also displaying his mastery of disegno, the ability to draw, which was becoming increasingly valued by art academies. The role of the historian is to ask, who was this artwork for? What messages does it communicate to its intended audience? To answer these questions, we look at the artist's biography, the social functions of art at the time, and the values of the courts and institutions that produced it.