Twee ornamentkoppen en drie vazen 1644 - 1718

Giuseppe Maria Mitelli made this pen drawing, “Two Ornamental Heads and Three Vases” sometime in the 17th or 18th century. Mitelli was an Italian printmaker and painter working in Bologna and his drawings are filled with caricature, ornament, and playful invention. Here, the grotesque heads and elaborate vases offer a glimpse into the visual culture of his time. Consider the social function of ornament during this period. Elaborate designs were not merely decorative, they were powerful signifiers of wealth, status, and taste. This drawing gives us insight into the world of design and craftsmanship that was so important to Italian society, a world that was facilitated by academies of art and design. Art historians explore the political and economic systems that supported artistic production. By looking at artist’s notebooks, commissioned works, and critical writings, we can deepen our understanding of the society in which artists like Mitelli lived and worked.