Ontwerp voor een kerkorgel 1698

Filippo Passarini’s drawing presents us with an elaborate design for a church organ. The structure is rendered through meticulous line work that details a profusion of ornaments, figures, and musical pipes. The symmetrical balance gives the design a harmonious feel. Notice how the composition is structured, and how the vertical pipes are flanked by ornate sculptures and foliage, creating a dynamic interplay between architectural rigidity and organic exuberance. The cherubic figures scattered across the design introduce a playful counterpoint to the solemnity expected from religious art. This tension between the sacred and the ornamental reflects a Baroque sensibility, where visual spectacle was often employed to inspire awe and convey religious power. The design, therefore, is not just a plan for an instrument, but a statement of cultural values, intertwining faith with artistry. Its enduring appeal lies in this dialogue, where the visual form articulates profound cultural meanings.