Design for a Reliquary with the Beheading of a Saint 1695 - 1705

This anonymous 17th-century drawing, created between 1695 and 1705, presents a design for a reliquary with a highly ornate, Baroque frame. The piece features a central oval containing a scene of a beheading, likely of a saint, which would have held the actual relic. This design exemplifies the elaborate and theatrical style of the Baroque era, with its intricate scrolls, cherubs, and dramatic flourishes. The drawing showcases the refined taste for opulent ornamentation prevalent in religious objects of the period, highlighting the importance of spectacle and visual impact in devotion.