Modello for Ceiling Fresco with Papal Coat of Arms 1577 - 1629

Bernardo Castello made this modello for a ceiling fresco in ink and wash on paper. The drawing is a preliminary design – a sketch of a fresco to be painted on a much grander scale. The use of ink allows for fine details, while the wash creates depth and shadow. The material’s smooth surface enables the artist to achieve subtle gradations of tone. This would be crucial for creating the illusion of three-dimensionality on a flat ceiling. The grid lines are visible within the central shield. This shows us how Castello meticulously planned the design, using a grid system to transfer the drawing accurately to the ceiling. The fresco itself would have demanded a great deal of physical labor, involving teams of artisans preparing the plaster, mixing pigments, and applying the paint swiftly. By considering the labor and skill embedded in the artwork, we appreciate how "Modello for Ceiling Fresco with Papal Coat of Arms" bridges the gap between the initial creative idea, and the practicalities of large-scale artistic production.