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Stefano della Bella

Equestrian Ballet in the Amphitheater of the Boboli Gardens

1661
Etching on ivory laid paper
29.2 × 44.5 cm (11.5 × 17.5 in)

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

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Grand Duke Ferdinand II of Tuscany commissioned Ferdinando Tacca (1619-1686) to design the festivities in honor of his son's marriage, which was held over twenty days. Their ambitious plans for an equestrian ballet required the enlargement of the Boboli Gardens amphitheater. Here, Cosimo III is shown as Hercules on horseback wearing an elaborate headdress, and Atlas stands in the center of the arena. After announcing his reason for being there, Atlas and his globe split in two, becoming Mount Atlas surrounded by the Four Continents, and they sing praise to the newlyweds before the equestrian ballet begins.

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