Etching of Posi's design for the "prima macchina" of 1755

People:

Giuseppe Vasi (etcher)
Paolo Posi (architect)
Pope Benedict XIV (dedicatee)
Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies (patron)
Fabrizio Colonna (patron)

Title:

Etching of Posi's design for the "prima macchina" of 1755

Date:

printed 1755

Description:

- This etching for a fireworks construction or macchina is in the form of a triumphal bridge with statues of the elements, commemorative columns, and a central pavilion crowned by a statue of Hercules killing a monster. People are crossing the bridge and simulated river in carriages and rowboats.

Form:
works of art

Quantity / Object type:
1 print(s)

Stage and Purpose:

record drawing

Technique and media:

Etching

Dimensions:

plate mark: 38.0 x 54.7 cm sheet: 45.2 x 66.2 cm

Reference number:

DR1988:0437:022

Drawing Type:

line drawing

Method of Projection:

pictorial drawing

Point of View:

general view
exterior view

Physical characteristics and technical requirements:

- The sheet has an old fold down the c.

Inscription:

inscribed and dated - by an unknown hand, in the plate on the image, c.: "CAROLO / VTRIVS QVE SICILIAE REGI / BONARVM ARTIVM AMPLIFICATORI / OR HERCVLANVM DETECTVM"; below the image, l.l. to l.r.: "Nel corso delle Glorie della MAESTÀ SUA IL RÈ delle due Sicilie & & & le si appresenta in questa Machina un Ponte Trionfale; nel cui ornato a maggior compiacimento della MAESTÀ SUA le / si riportano in vista, simetricamente disposti, i più preziosi avanzi dell'antichità, dalla Regia Sedulità, rinvenuti sotto le ruine della Città di Ercolano. Eretta fu la detta Machina per comando di Sua Eccellenza il Sig.r DON FABRIZIO COLONNA Gran Contestabile del Regno di Napoli & & come Ambasciadore straordinario di SUA MAESTÀ IL RÈ delle due Sicilie & & & in congiuntura della presentazione / della Chinea alla Santità di Nostro Signore PAPA BENEDETTO XIV. nella vigilia de Gloriosi SS. Apostoli PIETRO, e PAOLO l'Anno 1755. / Paolo Posi ARCHIT. 1755 Giuseppe Vasi incise" dated and numbered - by an unknown hand, in graphite, on the print outside the plate mark, l.r.: "1755 / II I" numbered - by an unknown hand, in graphite, on the print outside the plate mark, l.r.: "14"

Subject:

temporary architecture

Credit line:
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal

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