Elevation for a Catafalque Surmounted by an Obelisk. 1696 - 1756

"Elevation for a Catafalque Surmounted by an Obelisk" is a design by Giuseppe Galli Bibiena, a prominent Italian architect and set designer, created between 1696 and 1756. The drawing, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases Bibiena's mastery of the Baroque style, characterized by elaborate ornamentation, dramatic curves, and a sense of grandeur. This intricate design, likely intended for a funerary monument, features a towering obelisk atop a richly decorated catafalque. Bibiena's theatrical background is evident in the design's emphasis on perspective and the use of light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and grandeur in this meticulously rendered architectural composition.