Designs for Componets of Stage Sets: at Bottom: Spiral and Wreathed-Colonnaded Pavillion with Central Arch Surmounted by Military Trophy and Another Hanging Inside Arch; at Top: Centralized Pavillion Decorated by Pediment Surmounted by Fountain. 1696 - 1756

Giuseppe Galli Bibiena created this drawing for stage set components, sometime in the early 18th century, using pen and brown ink with gray wash over black chalk. Bibiena's set designs catered to the spectacles favored by European courts during the Baroque era. Beyond mere entertainment, these theatrical productions reinforced social hierarchies and celebrated the power of the aristocracy. The elaborate architecture, with its grandiose arches and colonnades, served as a backdrop for dramas where rulers were idealized. However, the ephemeral nature of theater allowed for a temporary suspension of reality. Stage designs offered a space where societal norms could be subtly questioned or reimagined. The emotional resonance of these performances, combined with the visual impact of Bibiena's designs, invited audiences to momentarily consider alternative narratives and perhaps, even, new possibilities. As you consider the drawing, think about the power that stage design can have to momentarily alter perceptions and influence the emotional landscape.