Design for a Stage Set: Interior of a Palazzo Decorated with Large Mirrors and Console Tables 1698 - 1765

Giovanni Battista Natali III sketched this stage set design with pen, black ink, and gray wash. The design reflects the grandeur and theatricality of the Italian Baroque era. During this time, opera and theater were not just entertainment, but social and political stages where nobility displayed their power and wealth. Natali's design gives us a glimpse into the opulent spaces inhabited and imagined by the elite. The mirrors aren't just decorative, they amplify the scene, reflecting and multiplying the images of those who occupied such spaces. Console tables, placed asymmetrically, suggest a dynamic, engaging environment designed for movement and interaction. The design evokes the performative aspects of identity, where appearances were carefully constructed and maintained. Consider how the architecture itself plays a role in shaping the identities of those within it. It reinforces societal hierarchies, while offering spaces for intimate, personal dramas to unfold.