The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1739: Mount Parnassus with Apollo, the Muses, and Pegasus

1739

Miguel de Sorellò, after Pierre Parrocel, after Michelangelo Specchi

Associated Names
Miguel de Sorellò

Etcher, Spanish, c. 1700 - c. 1765

Pierre Parrocel

Artist After, French, 1670 - 1739

Michelangelo Specchi

Artist After, Italian, 1684 - 1750

This is a drawing of a scene on Mount Parnassus. Various figures are depicted on rocky cliffs with a backdrop of trees and clouds. At the top, there is a figure with a radiant aura, alongside mythical creatures like a winged horse. The scene is dynamic and dramatic, with figures in various poses, some gesturing upwards, others seated or leaning on rocks. The foreground shows figures in contemplative postures, gazing upwards towards the gathering above. The detailed line work conveys depth and texture, typical of classical mythological illustrations.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

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. 27.

Inscriptions

Lettered LL: "Pietro Parrocel inv. e dis." and "Michelangelo Specchi Architetto"
Lettered LR: "Michele Sorello' incise con lic. de Sup."
Lettered LC, below image: "At nos parnassi deserta per ardua dulcis ... Prospettiva della prima Macchina rappresentante il Monte Parnasso con Appollo, le Muse, et il Cavallo Pegaseo, che col tocco del piede fa scaturire il Fonte d'Ippocrene [...] l'Anno 1739"

Wikidata ID

Q77259543

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