The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1774: Hercules and the Dragon in the Garden of the Hesperides

1774

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

This is a drawing of an architectural scene. The artwork features a detailed facade of a building with classical architectural elements like columns, arches, and statues. The building is set on an elevated platform with stairs leading to the main entrance. Sculptures adorn the roof and balustrades. Figures in the foreground are engaged in various activities, contributing to a narrative. Dramatic cloud formations fill the sky behind the structure.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1981

  • Scalabroni, Luisa. Giuseppe Vasi (1710-1782). Rome, 1981, no. 360.

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. 95.

Inscriptions

Lettered LL: "Cav. Paolo Posi Architetto invento' ", LC: "Giuseppe Palazzi delineo' " and LR: "Cav. Giuseppe Vasi incise"
Lettered LC, below image: "Disegno della Prima Machina nella quale si rappresenta la celebre impresa di Ercole negl'Esperidi [...] l'anno 1774"

Wikidata ID

Q77258716

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