Zeven ontwerpen voor een kandelaar 1698

Here we see Filippo Passarini's pen and ink wash drawing of seven candelabra designs. At first glance, the uniformity of the objects creates a rhythmic pattern across the page. Yet, each design distinguishes itself through varying degrees of ornamentation and structural differences. The drawing style is precise, using hatching and cross-hatching to suggest form and depth. Passarini's careful rendering brings a sense of volume to what are essentially linear designs, emphasizing the play of light and shadow on the metal surfaces. These designs are more than functional objects. They embody semiotic meaning through their religious connotations and ornate construction. The candelabra, with their intricate details, represent status, power, and divine connection. The repetition of vertical forms and the subtle variations in their design invite us to contemplate how meaning is both reinforced and transformed through seriality. The contrast between the severity of some forms and the flamboyance of others could be interpreted as a dialogue between different aesthetic and philosophical values.