Designs for the decoration of a ceiling 1780 - 1844

Giuseppe Bernardino Bison made this ceiling design, likely around the turn of the 19th century, with pen and brown ink, over graphite. It’s a wonderful display of skill on a small scale. Think about what it would have taken to translate this drawing into a fresco, high above the heads of a wealthy family. It would require absolute control of the medium, and a confident hand. Watercolors are usually seen as light and amateurish, but here they suggest the full effect of an opulent room, complete with mythological figures and verdant landscapes. Note how the composition is broken up into discrete areas; Bison is thinking about how the design would translate onto a three-dimensional surface. Each of the elements is given its due. This drawing speaks to the intense labor required to produce luxury environments. Next time you’re in a grand space, think about all the effort required to make it. Material, making, and context are key to understanding the full meaning of art.