Drawing after a XVIth Century Marble Pilaster and Capital 1886

Ignazio Dimino made this drawing of a 16th-century marble pilaster and capital. In this careful pencil rendering, Dimino meticulously captures the intricate details of the original marble work. The drawing reflects a fascination with classical forms, echoing the Renaissance’s revival of classical antiquity, and a nostalgic longing to revive the aesthetic and social values of past eras. The face at the very top of the pillar, the curling leaves, and the plump pears each contribute to a sense of overflowing abundance. Yet, the eye is drawn to the image of the proud bird in the pillar’s lower register, positioned between what appears to be two horns of plenty, or cornucopias. The drawing offers a window into the artist's cultural and intellectual environment, where the study and imitation of classical art were central to artistic training and aesthetic ideals. The image asks us to think about identity, as it relates to a longing for a cultural past.