Design for Festival Decorations on the Bases of Piers 1702 - 1786

Carlo Marchionni created this pen and brown ink design for festival decorations in the eighteenth century. The drawing gives us a glimpse into the world of Roman Baroque festivals, grand displays of power and wealth for the elite. Imagine the scene: these elaborate decorations adorn the bases of piers, framing public spaces for celebration. The cherubic figures and ornate garlands evoke a sense of abundance and divine blessing, reinforcing the patron's status. Yet, who are these patrons, and whose labor actually builds these ephemeral monuments? Marchionni's sketch reminds us that every spectacle has a context, every display of wealth relies on the labor and resources of many, often unseen. Consider the social hierarchies at play here, the power dynamics embedded in every curve of the design. Does this drawing celebrate or question such displays of wealth? It’s up to you to decide.