Elevation of a Catafalque: the Central Part Comprised of a Series of Steps to Top; with Statues and Central Cartouche with a Figural Scene: a Figure Kneeling before Virgin and Child (?) 1696 - 1756

Giuseppe Galli Bibiena made this pen and brown ink drawing, Elevation of a Catafalque, in the 18th century. Bibiena was a stage designer from a famous family of architects and artists, which can be seen in the theatrical drama of this design. Catafalques were temporary structures used during funeral rites for high-ranking members of society. As such, they were important ways to project power. Here, Bibiena’s elaborate design utilizes classical motifs and religious imagery, such as the Virgin and Child, to associate the deceased with authority, virtue, and divinity. Italy, particularly the Papal States, was the center of such displays, which tells us about the complex relationship between the church and state during that time. Examining sources, such as period descriptions of funerals, engravings, and architectural treatises, will show how Bibiena’s catafalque reflects and shapes the cultural norms of his era.