ETCHING. "View Of The Grotto Of Pan And Fame." by…

ETCHING. "View Of The Grotto Of Pan And Fame." by DELLA BELLA, Stephano. < >
(Pratolino)

ETCHING. "View Of The Grotto Of Pan And Fame."

1610. The first state, before the number (of two). Vesme no. 841. Chone/Grivel. STEPHANO DELLA BELLA 1610-1664, no. 42-4. A richly evocative etching of Pan and Fame's grotto in the Renaissance Italian villa garden at Pratolino. The impression is a double view, presenting opposite ends of the grotto side by side. On opposite sides of the statue representing the river Mugrone are seen Pan playing his flute and Fame sounding her trumpet, both of them animated as hydraulic automatons. This is one of six views by Della Bella which depict this stunning Medici garden, created by the Florentine architect Buontalenti. "In terms of hydraulic wonders, the fountains and grottoes of Pratolino are surely the apogee... Buontalenti emerges as the foremost inventor of grottoes in Italy." (Miller HEAVENLY CAVES, pp. 47, 49) Impression measuring 25 x 37 cm; signed SD Bella between the two views

Excellet condition, freshly mounted and matted, overall dimensions 45 x 53.

Book ID: 14582
Print this page View cart Price: £650.00

 

Other items of possible interest…