Design for a Covered Vase with the Arms of the Aldobrandini and Pamphilj Families 1598 - 1654

Alessandro Algardi’s "Design for a Covered Vase with the Arms of the Aldobrandini and Pamphilj Families" (1598 - 1654), a drawing currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, showcases the artist's masterful command of Baroque ornamentation. The design features a central vase, adorned with elaborate flourishes and flanked by two cherubs holding stars, referencing the celestial motifs prevalent in Baroque art. The vase’s cover is topped with a dove, symbolizing peace, perched atop a branch of olive leaves, highlighting the interconnectedness between the earthly and divine. The combination of the dove and the olive branch alludes to the Biblical story of Noah's ark, further enhancing the artwork’s symbolic weight. This drawing, created during Algardi's early career, exemplifies the high-quality draftsmanship he was renowned for, anticipating his later successes in sculpture.