Elevation of a Catafalque: the Central Part Comprised of a Series of Steps to Top; with Statues and Central Cartouche with a Figural Scene: a Figure Kneeling before Virgin and Child (?) 1696 - 1756

Giuseppe Galli Bibiena's "Elevation of a Catafalque" (1696-1756), a detailed architectural drawing, showcases the elaborate design of a catafalque, a temporary structure used for displaying a coffin. The drawing depicts a multi-tiered structure adorned with statues, a central cartouche, and intricate ornamentation, highlighting the ornate and symbolic elements of Baroque-era funerary architecture. This drawing, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the grandeur of such commemorative structures.