The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1766: The Palace of Orpheus

1766

Giuseppe Vasi, after Giuseppe Palazzi, after Paolo Posi

Associated Names
Giuseppe Vasi

Etcher, Roman, 1710 - 1782

Giuseppe Palazzi

Artist After, Italian, c. 1740 - 1810

Paolo Posi

Artist After, Italian, 1708 - 1776

The image displays a grand architectural scene with an elaborate, arched structure viewed straight-on. The structure is symmetrical and adorned with statues, decorative elements, and figures. The horizon line is not visible, and the color palette is muted with sepia tones. Figures and animals populate the scene in a pastoral setting, and the etched lines provide detailed architectural and figure elements, giving depth and texture to the image.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1981

  • Scalabroni, Luisa. Giuseppe Vasi (1710-1782). Rome, 1981, no. 348.

1994

  • Gori Sassoli, Mario. Della Chinea e di altre "Macchine di gioia". Apparati architettonici per fuochi d'artificio a Roma nel Settecento. Milan, 1994, no. 81.

Inscriptions

Lettered LL: "Cavaliere Paolo Posi Architetto"
Lettered LC: "Giuseppe Palazzi delineo'"
Lettered LR: "Giuseppe Vasi incise"
Lettered LC, below image: "Disegno della Prima Machina rappresentante la Reggia d'Orfeo [...] l'Anno MDCCLXVI"

Watermarks

Fleur-de-lis in a circle

Wikidata ID

Q77258689

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