Sheet with Drawings after Roman relief decorations from objects in the Collection of Cardinal Bruto della Valle. Recto: Friezes from Roman Sarcophagi with Dyonisus; Marble Funerary Relief of Lucius Antistius Sarculo and his wife Antistia Plutia 1534 - 1584

This sheet with drawings, made by an anonymous artist, features Roman relief decorations from Cardinal Bruto della Valle’s collection, rendered in pen and brown ink on paper. The drawings capture the essence of Roman sarcophagi friezes and a marble funerary relief, showcasing scenes with figures, likely gods, and mortals engaged in various activities. The anonymous artist’s hand meticulously recreates the textures and forms of the marble originals. This act of reproduction underscores the value placed on classical antiquity during the Renaissance and the subsequent desire to preserve and disseminate knowledge of these ancient forms. The drawings would have served as a means of study and inspiration for other artists and scholars. Consider how the act of drawing, as a form of labor, translates the monumental and permanent qualities of stone into the ephemeral medium of paper. This shift highlights the complex interplay between original creation, reproduction, and the ongoing dialogue between artistic traditions. It prompts us to reconsider how we assign value to both the original and the copy, blurring the boundaries between fine art and craft.