Project for a Façade Decoration (recto); Architectural Studies (verso) 16th century

Lattanzio Gambara sketched this facade decoration in the 16th century, a time when Italian artists and architects were deeply influenced by classical antiquity and humanist ideals. Gambara's drawing is not just an architectural study but also a reflection of the social values of his time. The facade features classical figures and scenes, likely drawn from mythology or religious narratives, which were typical motifs used to convey messages of power, virtue, and cultural identity. These images were not mere decoration; they were integral to constructing the identity of the building's occupants. Consider the role of women, who are depicted, yet their representation would have been dictated by the male gaze and societal expectations. The drawing invites us to reflect on whose stories are told and whose are left out in the grand narratives of art and architecture. What we see—and what we don't—reveals much about the society that produced it.