Magnificent Catafalque for a Deceased Noble 

Francesco Galli Bibiena made this drawing of a magnificent catafalque for a deceased noble using pen and brown ink with gray wash over black chalk. Bibiena, born into a family of artists, became renowned for his theatrical designs, which often celebrated power. As a stage designer, he was aware of the power of spectacle, and here, he translates the performative elements of theater into a funerary monument. Catafalques were temporary structures erected to honor the dead, particularly members of the aristocracy or the church. This drawing gives us insight into the worldview of the aristocracy, where even in death, social hierarchy and status were affirmed. Note the elaborate ornamentation, the figures of virtue, and the imposing scale, all designed to evoke awe and reverence. This wasn’t just about mourning; it was a carefully staged event that reinforced the noble's legacy. The catafalque becomes a stage for a final, grand performance, underscoring the intersection of art, power, and identity in the 17th and 18th centuries.