Who painted H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection was painted by Remigio Cantagallina in 1608.

Where can I see H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

Remigio Cantagallina , 1608

H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Baroque artist Remigio Cantagallina. It dates from 1608 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This print shows a fancy parade float on the Arno River in Florence. People in costumes ride a giant golden sheep. Flags and banners wave in the background.

It was made for a royal wedding in 1608. The artist copied a design by Giulio Parigi. The print celebrates Medici power with myth and theater.

Look for similar prints at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

'Periclemene' is an etching from the H Beard Print Collection, originally designed by Giulio Parigi and executed by Remigio Canta Gallina. It commemorates a 1608 Carnival event on the Arno River in Florence, celebrating the marriage of Cosimo de Medici and Maria Madeleine of Austria.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a lavish parade float on the Arno, featuring costumed figures aboard a gigantic golden sheep. This imagery blends mythological and theatrical elements to symbolize and reinforce Medici power on the occasion of the royal wedding.

Technique & Style

As an etching, 'Periclemene' showcases the collaborative work of Parigi's design and Gallina's technical skill in etching. The style reflects the Baroque flair characteristic of early 17th-century Florentine festival decorations.

History & Provenance

Created in 1608 for the wedding of Cosimo de Medici and Maria Madeleine of Austria, the print is part of a series for the 'Conquest of the Golden Fleece' Carnival event. Its current location is within the H Beard Print Collection.

Context

Similar prints from this series can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum, providing a broader context to 'Periclemene' as part of a larger artistic response to the Medici-Austria alliance.

Legacy

'Periclemene' serves as a historical artifact of 17th-century Florentine festivities and Medici patronage of the arts, offering insights into the intersection of politics, mythology, and theatrical display in Baroque Europe.