Chariot Drawn by Griffons
Artist
Unknown, Italian
Date16th century
CultureItalian
MediumPen and brown ink with brown and grey wash
ClassificationDrawings
Credit LineMuseum purchase, 1981
Object numberSN981
In celebration of the 1637 nuptials of Princess Vittoria della Rovere of Urbino and Grand Duke Ferdinando II de'Medici, grand festivities were organized, including a specially composed opera by Abbot Giovanni Carlo Coppola, Le nozzi degli dèi ("The Wedding of the Gods"). The performance was staged in an open-air theater in the courtyard of the Palazzo Pitti, Florence, and the famed Italian scenic designer, Alfonso Parigi (1606-1656) was commissioned to design the rapid-changing stage sets.
It is possible that this chariot design belonged to that commission. It would have appeared in Act V, Scene 1 in which Ceres, goddess of agriculture and Mercury, messenger of the gods, arrive in a chariot in the clouds to watch over Ceres' daughter, Prosperina (who had been kidnapped by Pluto and brought to the underworld to marry).
On View
Not on viewFRAMED: 16 3/8 x 19 3/8 in. (41.6 x 49.2 cm)
Joachim Antonisz Wtewael
16th Century
