Design for a Stage Set: Stairway and Arcades Leading to a Salone 1698 - 1765

Giovanni Battista Natali III created this stage set design with pen and brown ink with gray wash on paper. The drawing presents a symmetrical composition of architectural elements, predominantly arches and stairways, rendered in a monochromatic palette. The use of line and shadow creates depth, evoking a theatrical space designed for dramatic action. Natali's arrangement of space hints at the Baroque interest in perspective and illusion, playing with the viewer's perception. The structure of receding arches creates an effect of infinite space, destabilizing the boundary between the stage and the imagined world beyond. Notice how the meticulous detailing, particularly in the ornamentation, adds to the visual complexity. The formal characteristics invite consideration of how stage design can function as a semiotic system in itself. Each component is laden with cultural codes that would resonate with contemporary audiences, constructing meaning beyond mere visual pleasure. This work remains a study in how artistic vision can transform space into a rich field of cultural expression.