A couple lying in a bed while others hurry to the spot 1689 - 1767

Gaspare Diziani made this pen and wash drawing, A couple lying in a bed while others hurry to the spot, in 18th century Venice. Diziani imagines a dramatic scene. It is likely to be an illustration of a well-known story. Note the urgency of the figures rushing into the bedchamber, a space that is both private and newly public. The artist uses the architecture of the room to convey a sense of grandeur. But if we think about the cultural role of theatre and opera in Venice at this time, it is not surprising to see such a flair for the dramatic. Drawings like this were often made in preparation for larger paintings, but they were also collected as works of art in their own right. To understand the image better, one could research the popular stories and theatrical conventions of the time. The true meaning of this artwork is contingent on its cultural context.