Design for a Stage Set: Semi-Circular Architectural Ruins, Fountains, and an Obelisk 1657 - 1743

Ferdinando Galli Bibiena's "Design for a Stage Set: Semi-Circular Architectural Ruins, Fountains, and an Obelisk" (1657 - 1743) is a detailed pen-and-ink drawing that showcases the artist's mastery of perspective and theatricality. Bibiena, a renowned Italian architect and stage designer, created this work as a blueprint for a grand theatrical setting. The drawing depicts a semi-circular arrangement of classical ruins, featuring an imposing obelisk, cascading fountains, and a grand staircase. Bibiena's meticulous attention to detail and skillful use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and grandeur, perfectly capturing the illusionary qualities of the Baroque era. This drawing exemplifies the visual language of Bibiena's stage designs, which were known for their extravagant scale and imaginative use of architectural elements.