alb3633904

FEDELE FISCHETTI. Design for the Fontana di Venere e Adone, Reggia di Caserta, Naples

Design for the Fontana di Venere e Adone, Reggia di Caserta, Naples. Artist: Fedele Fischetti (Italian, Naples 1732-1792 Naples). Dimensions: Sheet: 10 13/16 x 21 7/16 in. (27.5 x 54.5 cm). Date: ca. 1780.
Design for a sculpture group meant to be placed on top of the small cascade of one of six fountains in the gardens of the Palazzo Reale or "Reggia" di Caserta. The design shows the story of Venus and Adonis, set in a river landscape with nymphs and playing cupids or putti. Venus and Adonis are depicted in the center of the arrangement. Above their heads, a cupid aims his bow and arrow at the young man. The seated Venus grabs her lover by the arm, in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Adonis from departing on his fateful last hunt.
This design by Fischetti is of historical significance since his involvement in the development of the gardens of the Palazzo Reale was so far unknown. Fischetti is documented to have worked on other projects in the palazzo at various moments in his career, supplying amongst others designs for a series of tapestries. He was present at the palace in 1767 and then again between 1777/78 and 1781, which coincides with the garden project and is presumably when he executed this drawing. The design shows similarities, but was not the exact model for the sculpture group that was executed in marble between 1783 and 1788 by the Neapolitan sculptor Gaetano Salomone (active in Italy, 2nd half of the 18th century).

Share
Pinterest
Twitter
Facebook
Copy link
Email

Add to another lightbox

Do you already have an account? Sign in

You do not have an account? Register

Buy this image

Author:

FEDELE FISCHETTI (1732-1792)

Title:

Design for the Fontana di Venere e Adone, Reggia di Caserta, Naples

Caption:

Design for the Fontana di Venere e Adone, Reggia di Caserta, Naples. Artist: Fedele Fischetti (Italian, Naples 1732-1792 Naples). Dimensions: Sheet: 10 13/16 x 21 7/16 in. (27.5 x 54.5 cm). Date: ca. 1780. Design for a sculpture group meant to be placed on top of the small cascade of one of six fountains in the gardens of the Palazzo Reale or "Reggia" di Caserta. The design shows the story of Venus and Adonis, set in a river landscape with nymphs and playing cupids or putti. Venus and Adonis are depicted in the center of the arrangement. Above their heads, a cupid aims his bow and arrow at the young man. The seated Venus grabs her lover by the arm, in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Adonis from departing on his fateful last hunt. This design by Fischetti is of historical significance since his involvement in the development of the gardens of the Palazzo Reale was so far unknown. Fischetti is documented to have worked on other projects in the palazzo at various moments in his career, supplying amongst others designs for a series of tapestries. He was present at the palace in 1767 and then again between 1777/78 and 1781, which coincides with the garden project and is presumably when he executed this drawing. The design shows similarities, but was not the exact model for the sculpture group that was executed in marble between 1783 and 1788 by the Neapolitan sculptor Gaetano Salomone (active in Italy, 2nd half of the 18th century).

Technique/material:

Pen and black ink, gray wash, over black chalk

Museum:

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

Credit:

Album / Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY

Releases:

Model: No - Property: No
Rights questions?

Image size:

4800 x 2452 px | 33.7 MB

Print size:

40.6 x 20.8 cm | 16.0 x 8.2 in (300 dpi)

Keywords:

CHALK • DRAWINGS AND PRINTS • DRAWINGS • EUROPE • FEDELE FISCHETTI • INK • ITALY • METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK, USA • PASTELS • PEN AND BLACK INK, GRAY WASH, OVER BLACK CHALK