Theater Design c. 18th century

Franz Anton Maulbertsch’s *Theater Design* is a preparatory drawing for a decorative element in a theatrical setting. Dating from the 18th century, this work exemplifies the artist’s virtuosic use of line and color. The design features a central shield surrounded by putti and allegorical figures, such as a winged angel playing a trumpet. This design is a testament to the theatrical tradition of the Baroque era, where theatrical decorations were often elaborate and full of symbolic meaning. This drawing, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, gives art-lovers a glimpse into the creative process of a leading artist of the period.