Luna auf ihrem Wagen in starker Unteransicht 

Giulio Romano created this drawing, "Luna auf ihrem Wagen in starker Unteransicht", using pen and brown ink with brown wash, heightened with white, over traces of black chalk. The drawing depicts Luna, the Roman goddess of the moon, on her chariot, pulled by rearing horses. Romano was a student of Raphael, and here, we can see how the Renaissance interest in classical antiquity was influencing the art of the time. Based in Italy, Romano's career as a painter, architect, and designer coincided with a period of great social and cultural change. The rise of powerful families like the Medici and the papacy created a demand for art that could project power and status, and his work reflects the classical tastes of his patrons. But what is the public role of such art? Does it serve to reinforce existing social hierarchies, or does it offer a more nuanced commentary on the world? By studying Romano's drawings alongside historical documents, letters, and other primary sources, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between art and society in Renaissance Italy.