Design for a Funeral Monument (Preparatory Drawing for a Print) 1724 - 1741

Johann Jakob Schübler made this preparatory drawing for a print, depicting a design for a funeral monument, sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century. It’s rendered in pen and black ink, with gray wash on laid paper, common materials for the era. The monument's design is elaborate, featuring sculptures, inscriptions, and drapery, all carefully delineated with the pen and wash technique. Schübler meticulously captures the texture and form of each element, from the smooth surfaces of the sculptures to the flowing folds of the drapery. The use of gray wash adds depth and volume to the drawing, creating a sense of three-dimensionality. Given the monument's grandeur, its actual construction would have involved a range of skilled laborers, from stone carvers and sculptors to masons and carpenters. The design embodies the intersection of art and craft, blurring traditional distinctions between the two. It reminds us that even the most elaborate artistic creations rely on the labor and expertise of many individuals.