Design for the Tomb of a Youth 1519 - 1530

Parmigianino made this drawing for a tomb out of pen and brown ink, with brown wash, over black chalk. Think of the materiality of drawing: humble materials, but capable of capturing complex ideas. Here, the brown ink and wash evoke the somber mood fitting for a tomb. The layered washes create depth and shadow, hinting at the three-dimensional form the design would take if realized in stone. The quick, confident strokes of the pen reveal Parmigianino’s mastery and vision. Consider the amount of labor involved: from the initial quarrying and shaping of the stone, to the intricate carving of figures and ornamentation. This tomb would have been a significant commission, involving the skills of numerous artisans. The cost would have been considerable, reflecting the family's wealth. Parmigianino's drawing allows us to appreciate not only the aesthetic qualities of the design, but also the material and social context in which it would have been created. The drawing is an example of craft and fine art coming together.