The Burial of Punchinello c. 1800

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo rendered this ink and wash drawing, titled “The Burial of Punchinello.” A funeral procession of figures in white conical masks and robes surrounds the limp body of Punchinello, a stock character from Italian puppetry, as they prepare him for burial. These masked figures evoke associations with religious brotherhoods. The pointed hats, or “cornettes,” recall the garb of penitential societies, suggesting a somber, ritualistic ceremony. Consider, then, the ancient mystery cults—groups practicing initiation rituals, promising spiritual insights. These cults often involved masked participants, concealing their identities to heighten the experience. The act of masking and the performance of burial rituals engage the viewers on a subconscious level, tapping into collective memories of mourning. This imagery transcends time, resurfacing in various cultural contexts, each time imbued with new layers of meaning. Thus, the image embodies a cyclical progression, mirroring how symbols evolve across different epochs.