Costume design for Jacopo Giraldi, depicted on horse back 1604 - 1656

This costume design for Jacopo Giraldi, depicted on horseback, was created by Baccio del Bianco with pen and brown ink on paper. The eye is immediately drawn to the dynamic sketch which captures a figure mounted on horseback, rendered with an emphasis on the elaborate costume. The rapid, expressive lines articulate the details of the rider's attire and the horse's form. These are offset against areas of the paper left untouched, creating a visual rhythm that enlivens the composition. Del Bianco uses line and form to describe not just the appearance of the costume, but also its potential movement and theatrical presence. The annotations around the sketch are integral to its purpose. Del Bianco is using a semiotic system of signs to communicate design specifications. These notes provide insight into the intended construction and embellishment of the costume. This reflects a broader artistic and philosophical concern with the relationship between representation and reality. The beauty of this work lies in the functional nature of the sketch, and how the piece functions not just aesthetically but also as part of a larger theatrical production.