April. Fresco in Palazzo Schifanoia (sketch) 1469

This is a sketch by Francesco del Cossa, a preparatory study for his fresco of April in the Palazzo Schifanoia. The entire composition is defined by a network of delicate lines, creating a scene populated by figures that seem to emerge from a dream. Notice how the use of line defines not just the forms but also suggests the textures and the overall atmosphere. The figures, caught in mid-gesture, appear to be part of a larger, unseen narrative, hinting at the courtly life and allegorical themes. Del Cossa destabilizes the conventional Renaissance pictorial space. By prioritizing rhythmic lines and flattened forms, the spatial depth is compressed. This method invites the viewer into a world where line and form take precedence over realistic representation, suggesting a deeper engagement with the symbolic and decorative aspects of art. The lines that do not fully enclose forms create an abstract representation of space and volume, questioning how art could capture life on canvas.