Design for a Stage Set: Double Stairway Pierced by an Arcade (recto); Slight Sketch (verso) 1698 - 1765

This pen and brown wash drawing, dating back to the 18th century, is by Giovanni Battista Natali III. It captures a stage set design featuring a double stairway pierced by an arcade. In Natali’s time, the design of theatrical sets served not only entertainment but also as a reflection of the socio-political order. Grand staircases were more than architectural features; they symbolized power, ascension, and social hierarchy. Consider the characters that might ascend these stairs—the elite, royalty, perhaps figures of great importance, their status visually amplified by this majestic setting. This design, with its detailed perspective, invites us to consider the interplay of light and shadow, and the emotional weight of dramatic space. Notice how the figures at the base are dwarfed by the architecture, perhaps indicating a loss of individuality. This sketch serves as a reminder that what we see on stage, and what we take for granted in art, is deeply intertwined with our history.