Half Elevation and Half Ground Plan for Catafalque for Antonio Farnese, Duke of Parma (d. 1731) 1726 - 1736

Giuseppe Galli Bibiena’s "Half Elevation and Half Ground Plan for Catafalque for Antonio Farnese, Duke of Parma" is a drawing from 1726-1736 that depicts a design for a catafalque, a temporary structure erected for a funeral. Bibiena, an Italian architect and designer, was famous for his elaborate theatrical designs, and this drawing reflects his mastery of perspective and illusionistic detail. The left side of the drawing shows the ground plan of the catafalque, while the right side depicts a partial elevation view, showcasing the opulent ornamentation and the complex architectural elements Bibiena envisioned. This drawing is an important document that reveals Bibiena’s talent for designing grand, awe-inspiring structures that combined architectural ingenuity with theatrical effects, a defining trait of the Baroque period.