Half Ground Plan and Half Elevation of a Catafalque, surmounted by a royal Crown 1696 - 1756

Giuseppe Galli Bibiena rendered this drawing, “Half Ground Plan and Half Elevation of a Catafalque, surmounted by a royal Crown,” with pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, over black chalk. Notice how the composition is split vertically: a stark, linear architectural plan on the left, and a richly ornamented elevation on the right. This juxtaposition creates a dialogue between structure and surface, intellect and emotion. The left side, with its precise geometric forms, offers a rational blueprint. It's a world of measured space and calculated angles. In contrast, the right side explodes with baroque exuberance. Swirls, statues, and elaborate decorations cascade downwards, creating a sense of dynamic movement. Bibiena masterfully employs light and shadow to enhance the three-dimensionality of the catafalque. The gray wash accentuates the depth of the ornamentation, pulling us into a world of theatrical grandeur. The drawing thus challenges our perception by questioning whether architectural space is defined by mathematical precision or artistic expression. It leaves us pondering the interplay between design and decoration, and the symbolic potency of architectural forms.