Elevation of Boxes and Royal Box as Presently Constituted and According to New Design 1745 - 1755

Giuseppe Galli Bibiena rendered this drawing, "Elevation of Boxes and Royal Box as Presently Constituted and According to New Design," with pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, over black chalk on off-white paper. The drawing depicts the elevation of theater boxes, contrasting their current state with a proposed design. The level of detail suggests that Bibiena was not merely sketching ideas, but rather presenting a carefully considered plan. The contrast of styles, from a more sober, classical style to an elaborate Rococo design, indicates changing tastes and a desire for modernization. Such theatrical designs were crucial for shaping social experiences. The boxes weren't just for viewing plays; they were spaces for display, negotiation, and social distinction. This drawing shows how much work goes into orchestrating a hierarchy of taste. It is a reminder that cultural production is always enmeshed with political and economic power.