Catafalque for the Funeral of the Duke of Parma Antonio I in the Church of S. Maria Maddalena in Bologna
1731
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1731
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a grand funeral setup inside a church. Statues of robed figures stand on either side of a tall, ornate structure in the center. The structure has carvings, candles, and a shield with a coat of arms. Smaller figures below seem to be mourners or attendants, and the walls are decorated with more statues and symbols. The scene looks like it’s meant to honor someone important, with lots of detailed carvings and symbols. The artist used lines to create depth and texture, making everything look three-dimensional. This is an example of the technique: etching.