Catafalque for the Empress Catherine the Great of Russia (Front Elevation). 1796

Vincenzo Brenna rendered this front elevation of the catafalque for Empress Catherine the Great with pen and watercolor. At its base, we see heraldic shields, symbols of power and lineage, guarding the Empress even in death. Above, winged figures stand as sentinels, their outstretched wings echoing motifs found in ancient Roman tombs, where similar figures guided souls to the afterlife. The architectural structure itself, draped in royal blue, speaks to the enduring influence of classical forms adapted to commemorate imperial grandeur. Consider how these motifs—the shields, the winged figures, the classical architecture—recur across millennia. In ancient Greece, shields symbolized civic duty and protection, while in medieval Europe, they became emblems of noble families. The catafalque embodies how symbols evolve, shaped by collective memory, to serve new emotional and political purposes. It is a powerful visual expression, engaging viewers on a subconscious level.