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Design for a Casket with the Gonzaga Eagle

ca. 1527–46
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Design for a Casket with the Gonzaga Eagle
  • Artist: Giulio Romano (Italian, Rome 1499?–1546 Mantua)
  • Date: ca. 1527–46
  • Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, highlighted with traces of white gouache, over black chalk
  • Dimensions: Overall: 4 9/16 x 6 15/16in. (11.6 x 17.7cm)
    Sheet: 4 × 6 9/16 in. (10.1 × 16.7 cm) [cropped silhouette]
  • Classifications: Drawings, Ornament & Architecture
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1965
  • Object Number: 65.125.3
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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Design for a Decorated Drinking Cup with Floriated Heads around Large Mouth, Intertwined Serpents as Handles, Giulio Romano Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over traces of black chalk; small corrections in white gouache
Design for a Decorated Drinking Cup with Floriated Heads around Large Mouth, Intertwined Serpents as Handles
Giulio Romano
n.d.
Drawing of a Ewer in Antique Style, Giulio Romano , Manner of. Italian, Pen and brown ink, with brush and brown wash
Drawing of a Ewer in Antique Style
Giulio Romano
early 16th century
Battle Scene with Soldiers Mounted on an Elephant., Giulio Romano Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, over black chalk
Battle Scene with Soldiers Mounted on an Elephant.
Giulio Romano
1550–1650
Death of Niobe's Children
Giulio Romano
Philips Galle
Design for a Candlestick, Giulio Romano Italian, Pen and brown ink, light brown wash, over traces of black chalk and some incised lines made with a straight edge
Design for a Candlestick
Giulio Romano
ca. 1530–46

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