Design for the Pommel Plate of a Saddle from a Garniture of Alessandro Farnese (1545–1592) 1575 - 1580

Andrea Casalini created this drawing for a saddle pommel around the mid-16th century, using pen and brown ink, with a light wash on paper. The design is incredibly intricate, overflowing with classical motifs. Note the figures, foliage, and carefully ornamented borders. The saddle would have been made by a saddler, who would have transferred the design onto leather or metal, then using specialist tools to bring Casalini’s vision to life. The drawing's existence points to a key aspect of the Renaissance: the rising status of the designer. Rather than simply being a craftsperson executing their own ideas, Casalini was commissioned to make the design, with the craftsperson responsible for its fabrication. The designer, in other words, was becoming a recognized creative force in their own right. This division of labor highlights a transition in creative production, as the division between art and craft was taking shape.