Design for a Sarcophagus on a Pedestal 16th century

This design for a sarcophagus on a pedestal was rendered in ink on paper by an anonymous artist. The materiality of ink, precisely applied, results in an accurate, detailed rendering. Consider the labor that would be required to transform this drawing into three dimensions. The carving of stone, the fashioning of ornament, the raising of the monument itself – all would involve the application of highly specialized skills. It's this consideration of the hand that prompts us to think about the social dimension of the object. While the commissioner of such an elaborate piece might have been of high social standing, the actual construction would have been done by skilled artisans. Paying attention to the process allows us to appreciate how much work went into the creation of such objects, both from a design perspective and from that of a construction. By recognizing this, we can better understand and appreciate the significance and cultural value that these art objects hold.