DISCOVERART

Stefano della Bella

The Colossal Statue of the Apennines, from Views of Villa di Pratolino

c. 1653
Etching in black on ivory laid paper
24.4 × 38.4 cm (9.6 × 15.1 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

On the outskirts of Florence, the Villa di Pratolino and its resplendent gardens and grottoes were built by the grand duke of Tuscany. Francesco de’ Medici constructed it for his mistress, Bianca Cappello, who later became his second wife. This view shows the gigantic statue personifying the Apennine Mountains, a masterpiece made in 1579–80 by the late Renaissance sculptor Giambologna. The fantastical setting was a fitting subject for Stefano della Bella’s energetic yet delicate linework. His etchings of the Villa di Pratolino were so popular, the plates continued to be printed into the 18th century.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Stefano della Bella

Sketches of Child Praying, Two Male Profiles (recto); Sketches of Male Heads (verso)Sketches of Child Praying, Two Male Profiles (recto); SketchA mid-bust portrait of Emperor Ferdinand II, within an oval frame, surrounded by armorA mid-bust portrait of Emperor Ferdinand II, within an oval Man Wearing a Fantastic Headdress, Facing to the LeftMan Wearing a Fantastic Headdress, Facing to the LeftA ship travelling between Dover and Calais, from "Views of seaports" (Vues de ports de mar)A ship travelling between Dover and Calais, from "Views of sA fan with a musical troupe and spectatorsA fan with a musical troupe and spectatorsPlate 38: head of a man with a moustache and cap, facing right in profile, from 'Various portraits' (Recueil de diverses pièces servant à l'art de portraiture)Plate 38: head of a man with a moustache and cap, facing rigCastel Sant' AngeloCastel Sant' AngeloRock of the Philosphers, or Mount Parnassus, many ancient philosophers gathered in groups at the base of the mountain in the foreground, Diogenes in his barrel to right and Archimedes in center studying an armillary sphere in the middleground, an angel in the sky to left, the mountain in the background, a large cloud at the top of the mountain with the assembly of the godsRock of the Philosphers, or Mount Parnassus, many ancient ph

More like this

Views of the Villa of Pratolino: Colossal Statue of the ApenninesStefano Della Bella (Italian, 1610–1664) — Views of the VillTitlepage from Differentes vues dessiné d'après nature... dans les environs de Rome et de NaplesAdélaide Allou|Hubert Robert|Jean Honoré Fragonard|Pierre FrVeduta del Boschetto d'Arcadia dalla parte del TempioEnnemond Alexandre Petitot — Veduta del Boschetto d'Arcadia Polyphemus Begging Ulysses for More WineJohn Flaxman — Polyphemus Begging Ulysses for More WineRocky Landscape with The Stigmatization of St. FrancisAegidius Sadeler, II — Rocky Landscape with The StigmatizatiStatue of Osiris in a GardenJan Goeree — Statue of Osiris in a GardenAnother view of the Temple of the Sibyl in Tivoli, from Views of RomeGiovanni Battista Piranesi — Another view of the Temple of tFirst frontispiece for Fables and Fairy-Tales by Thierry-FaletansRodolphe Bresdin (French, 1822–1885) — First frontispiece foRemains of the temple of the god Canopus at Hadrian's Villa, Tivoli, from Views of RomeGiovanni Battista Piranesi — Remains of the temple of the goRuins of the Palais Gallien in BordeauxMaxime Lalanne (French, 1827–1886) — Ruins of the Palais GalInterior View of the Temple Which is Believed to Have Been Dedicated to Juno, from Different views of PaestumGiovanni Battista Piranesi — Interior View of the Temple WhiYouth Playing a Lyre to a Maiden by a FountainCarl Wilhelm Kolbe, the elder — Youth Playing a Lyre to a Ma