"Design for Funerary Monument to the Marchese Francesco Gonzaga" by After Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael Italian, 1483-1520, is a remarkable drawing from the High Renaissance period (1500-1520). This complex architectural study, created after the master's initial conception, details a substantial funerary structure intended to honor the Marchese Francesco Gonzaga. The anonymous hand expertly utilized pen and brown ink alongside a sophisticated brush and brown wash. The artist further heightened the detail using lead white, which lends brightness to certain areas, although the material has partially oxidized over time, a common occurrence on the tan laid paper.
The drawing reflects the profound influence of Raphael’s monumental style, characterized by classical proportion and grand scale, which were key hallmarks of artistic production in Italy during the early sixteenth century. This piece provides essential insight into the design process for major sculptural and architectural commissions intended for elite patrons. The work would have functioned either as a preparatory sketch or a highly polished presentation piece shown to the patron for final approval, demonstrating the careful planning required for such a large-scale undertaking.
The Design for Funerary Monument currently resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Drawings of this historical significance, when digitized, are frequently placed in the public domain, allowing students and enthusiasts worldwide to study the complexities of the monument's structure and the technical genius employed in its execution. High-quality prints derived from this foundational piece of Renaissance draftsmanship remain popular today for both academic study and appreciation of the period’s architectural grandeur.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.