A Doge of Venice with a Cardinal, a Councillor and Servants Bearing the Train 1600 - 1650

This pen and brown ink wash drawing, now at the Met, was created in the 17th century by Bernardino Rodriguez, also known as Bernardino Siciliano. The composition is dominated by a procession of figures, their forms defined by rhythmic, flowing lines. The artist masterfully employs chiaroscuro, using light and shadow to model the figures and create a sense of depth. The arrangement of the figures, seemingly caught in motion, draws the eye across the composition, creating a sense of narrative unfolding. Rodriguez uses line and shading to depict the opulence of Venetian society. The use of ink wash adds a layer of atmospheric perspective. The looseness of the lines and the monochrome palette work in tandem to underscore a sense of fleeting observation. This small drawing captures the grandeur of Venetian society, distilled through the artist's formal command of line, light, and composition. It is this interplay that invites ongoing interpretation.