Drawing of a Catafalque for Philip II of Spain, 1598 1598

Alessandro Casolani della Torre created this drawing of a catafalque for Philip II of Spain in 1598 with pen and brown ink. Dominating the structure is a tiered pyramid ablaze with candles, culminating in a winged figure. The candles, symbols of flickering life and remembrance, evoke ancient Roman funerary rites where light warded off the darkness of death. This motif stretches back further, appearing in Egyptian traditions, connecting to a universal human desire to defy mortality through illumination. The winged figure at the summit, potentially an angel or winged victory, recalls classical iconography. The symbol transcends time, reappearing in various guises across cultures, from the Greek Nike to Renaissance depictions of Fame, each transformation reflecting shifting cultural values yet retaining the core concept of triumph over earthly constraints. The emotional weight of this image lies in its appeal to collective memory, a somber yet grand spectacle tapping into deep-seated fears of mortality. Through this catafalque, Casolani constructs more than just a memorial, he crafts an emotional theater to address the complex interplay between life, death, and enduring memory.