Artwork

The Seconda Macchina for the Chinea of 1785: A Pleasure Palace with an Air Balloon

The Seconda Macchina for the Chinea of 1785: A Pleasure Palace with an Air Balloon is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francesco Barbazza. It dates from 1785 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

It has three levels, with people dressed in old-fashioned clothes walking around, climbing stairs, and watching a big balloon in the center.

This drawing shows a fancy, stage-like structure shaped like a palace. It has three levels, with people dressed in old-fashioned clothes walking around, climbing stairs, and watching a big balloon in the center. The top level has statues, columns, and a giant seashell decoration on top. The whole scene looks like a mix of theater and architecture, with tiny figures moving about.

The balloon in the middle isn’t just decoration—it’s the main event. The text below says this was built for a special celebration in 1785, where people gathered to see it float.

Want to know more? Look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.

Overview

The Seconda Macchina for the Chinea of 1785: A Pleasure Palace with an Air Balloon is an etching on laid paper created by Francesco Barbazza in 1785.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a three-tiered, stage-like structure resembling a palace, with figures in period attire interacting with a central air balloon. The scene blends theatrical and architectural elements, with the balloon as the focal point.

Technique & Style

The work is an example of etching, a printmaking technique that allows for detailed designs. The use of laid paper is also characteristic of the medium.

History & Provenance

The structure was built for a special celebration in 1785, where it was intended to float with its central balloon, indicating the print's connection to a specific historical event.