1650
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Catafalque for an Unknown Woman Named Maria is a 1650 ink by Spanish 17th Century, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a towering, ornate funeral setup for a woman named Maria. At the center sits a draped coffin under a canopy of candles and skulls. Skeletons and angels with wings hold hourglasses, trumpets, and candles around the edges. Below, small cherubs and more skulls decorate the base, while a shield with the name "Maria" hangs in front. The mix of skulls and angels suggests life and death together—a common Baroque idea. The tiny details, like the cherubs and cross-hatched shadows, make the scene feel busy yet precise. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this carved intricate lines into metal.
This artist worked in Spain in the early 1600s, making delicate pen and ink drawings.
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