Design for a Stage Set: A Town Square with a Fountain. 1657 - 1743

Ferdinando Galli Bibiena’s “Design for a Stage Set: A Town Square with a Fountain” is a drawing in pen and wash depicting an idealized urban scene. Created in the 18th century, the design exemplifies the architectural style of the Baroque era, characterized by grand scale, elaborate decoration, and theatrical illusions. The drawing showcases Bibiena’s mastery of perspective and illusion, creating a sense of depth and grandeur. Its intricate details and carefully crafted composition make it an invaluable example of stage design from the Italian Baroque period. This work is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.