Plate 2: trophies of Roman arms from decorations above the windows on the second floor of the Palazzo Milesi in Rome
Original title: Plate 2: trophies of Roman arms from decorations above the windows on the second floor of the Palazzo Milesi in Rome
kurzbeschreibung
Giovanni Battista Galestruzzi made this etching between 1656 and 1658. An ornamental coat of arms built from Roman military trophies, it belongs to a series reproducing the facade decorations of the Palazzo Milesi in Rome after designs by Polidoro da Caravaggio. This impression is the second state.
Description
A helmet-like shape with a face at its core anchors the plate, ringed by foliage and scrolling tendrils. Two smaller shields flank it, one bearing a lion, the other a swan, and below sit panels with crosses and emblems. Arrows or lances point upward behind the ornament. Rendered in black and white, the etching builds depth through delicate linework and shading.
Context
Between 1656 and 1658 Galestruzzi recorded the painted facades of the Palazzo Milesi in Rome. The originals came from Polidoro da Caravaggio, a Renaissance artist known for his facade decorations. Through the series, these antique motifs and trophies reached a wider public.
Impact
Dense ornament and strict symmetry give the sheet a solemn, triumphal air. Precise lines and subtle shading lend it monumental weight despite its modest size.
Technique
An etching on paper in the second state. The etching process allowed fine, even lines, which were used for the detailed ornaments and shading. The sheet measures 20.4 x 26.1 cm, the plate 11.3 x 15.7 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)