Art Institute of Chicago

The Colossal Statue of the Apennines, from Views of Villa di Pratolino

Stefano della Bella

Date: c. 1653
Medium: Etching in black on ivory laid paper
Culture: Italy
Department: Prints and Drawings
Institution: Art Institute of Chicago

On the outskirts of Florence, the Villa di Pratolino and its resplendent gardens and grottoes were built by the grand duke of Tuscany. Francesco de’ Medici constructed it for his mistress, Bianca Cappello, who later became his second wife. This view shows the gigantic statue personifying the Apennine Mountains, a masterpiece made in 1579–80 by the late Renaissance sculptor Giambologna. The fantastical setting was a fitting subject for Stefano della Bella’s energetic yet delicate linework. His etchings of the Villa di Pratolino were so popular, the plates continued to be printed into the 18th century.

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Object type: AAT300041273

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Profil de la ville et citadelle de Perpignan en 1642 (A. de Vesme LVII - Troisième section, pièces douteuses et pièces dont la gravure ou le dessin est attribué à tort à Della Bella, Dutuit manuscrit, école italienne, page 99, n° 238)

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