Design for a Casket with the Gonzaga Eagle

Giulio Romano Italian

Not on view

This beautiful design for a casket is another example of Giulio Romano’s multifarious designs at the court of the Gonzaga in Mantua. It was probably meant as a presentation drawing and contains various options which had to be decided on before its execution. Most notably, Giulio presented two different ways of decorating the space between the Gonzaga eagle and the lion’s feet. On the left we see an acanthus scroll while on the right he has rendered a palm leaf. Similarly, the decorative frieze around the top of the lid can be executed fluted, or with a pattern of acanthus leafs. The detail with which the artist executed the drawing is incredible and can be most clearly noted in the plant stem which encircles the body and right wing of the eagle.

Design for a Casket with the Gonzaga Eagle, Giulio Romano (Italian, Rome 1499?–1546 Mantua), Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, highlighted with traces of white gouache, over black chalk

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Design for a Casket with the Gonzaga Eagle, Giulio Romano (Italian, Rome 1499?–1546 Mantua), Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, highlighted with traces of white gouache, over black chalk
Design for a Casket with the Gonzaga Eagle, Giulio Romano (Italian, Rome 1499?–1546 Mantua), Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, highlighted with traces of white gouache, over black chalk

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.