Half Plan and Half Elevation for a Catafalque with Royal Crown Surmounting the Casket 1696 - 1756

Giuseppe Galli Bibiena made this drawing of pen and brown ink with gray wash, over black chalk, on cream laid paper. This highly detailed drawing offers a glimpse into the elaborate rituals surrounding death and power in 18th century Europe. Bibiena, an Italian designer working in the Habsburg court in Vienna, specialized in theatrical designs and ephemeral decorations. This drawing shows us half of the plan and half of the elevation of a catafalque, a temporary structure erected to honor a deceased member of the royal family. The catafalque, with its elaborate sculptures and imposing scale, was designed to inspire awe and reinforce the power of the monarchy. Through visual codes such as classical architectural motifs and symbolic ornamentation, Bibiena evokes a sense of timeless authority. By studying the cultural context of such designs, along with court records of the funerals and other archival material, we can understand the public role of art in shaping perceptions of power.