Ontwerp voor een reliekhouder c. 1700

This is a design for a reliquary made by Giovanni Battista Foggini using pen in the late 17th or early 18th century. Reliquaries are containers for relics, which are often the physical remains of saints or other religious figures, or objects associated with them. In Italy, at this time, the Catholic Church was a powerful institution, and the veneration of relics was an important part of religious practice. The design is elaborate and ornate, reflecting the importance of relics and the wealth of the church. The drawing suggests a deep understanding of Baroque aesthetics. This style which flourished in Italy was promoted by the Catholic Church as a way to counter the Protestant Reformation through an emotional and awe-inspiring experience. To understand this drawing, we can look at other examples of Foggini's work, as well as the history of the Catholic Church in Italy. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.