Sketches for a Wall Tomb with Skeletons 1630 - 1640

Gian Lorenzo Bernini sketched this design for a wall tomb with skeletons in pen and brown ink on paper. Bernini's draftsmanship is on full display here. Look closely at the loose, yet controlled lines and the varying pressure he applies to the pen, creating depth and volume with hatching and cross-hatching. This was not merely a technical exercise, but a vital part of his design process. Consider the rapid, almost frenetic energy captured in these lines, conveying the artist’s thought process as he grapples with the composition. The drawing's cultural significance lies in its preparatory nature. As a sketch, it provides a glimpse into Bernini’s creative mind. The skeletal figures themselves reflect the Baroque era's fascination with mortality and the ephemeral nature of life, a theme that resonated deeply in the art and culture of the time. Ultimately, understanding Bernini's materials and process allows us to appreciate the intellectual labor involved and to look beyond any division of ‘high art’ and craft.