Above: “‘The Magnificent Carousel is on the Arne River in Florence’ Paris, at Baltazar Moncornet Street S.Jacques, to S. Yves.” (1640-1700) The drawing represents a chariot in the shape of a peacock, led by three Eurytus Argonauts and Echion Aethalides, during the Argonautica Feast given in 1608 in Florence on the Arno River to celebrate the marriage of the Grande Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo II de Medici. (Pen, black ink and gray wash.) Eight volumes from the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries entitled “Collected Theatre Sets” contain drawings and prints dedicated to the festivals and ceremonies of the French court of the king. They are housed at the National Archives in Paris, Menus Plaisirs du roi. The best artists of the day created drawings and prints of theater sets, costumes, and detailed imagery which were used by the court to organize and stage live performance events or celebrations (and thereby impress spectators of the court). Politics and pleasure…a centuries-old marriage.

Above: “‘The Magnificent Carousel is on the Arne River in Florence’ Paris, at Baltazar Moncornet Street S.Jacques, to S. Yves.” (1640-1700)

The drawing represents a chariot in the shape of a peacock, led by three Eurytus Argonauts and Echion Aethalides, during the Argonautica Feast given in 1608 in Florence on the Arno River to celebrate the marriage of the Grande Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo II de Medici. (Pen, black ink and gray wash.)

Eight volumes from the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries entitled “Collected Theatre Sets” contain drawings and prints dedicated to the festivals and ceremonies of the French court of the king. They are housed at the National Archives in Paris, Menus Plaisirs du roi. The best artists of the day created drawings and prints of theater sets, costumes, and detailed imagery which were used by the court to organize and stage live performance events or celebrations (and thereby impress spectators of the court).

Politics and pleasure…a centuries-old marriage.