The eleven double plates carry the letters A-I, K, L.
Contents
[T.pl., dedic.] - Lo Stampatore Al Lettore - [Text, and plates] - Dichiaratione de' luoghi dove vanno collocate le Figure in rame.
Responsibility Note
The 'Theatro' [missing from the Royal Academy's copy] is described by M. Fagiolo as being signed as designed by 'AS' [i.e. Andrea Sacchi] and engraved by F. Collignon. The 'Lo Stampatore Al Lettore' writes of ten designs made by Andrea Sacchi. The title-plate and lettered plates are unsigned.
The work is dedicated by Vitale Mascardi to Cardinal Antonio Barberini.
References
The context is described in S. Tozzi, Incisioni barocche di feste e avvenimenti (2002); M. Fagiolo, La Festa a Roma [exhibition catalogue] (2 v., 1997); M. Fagiolo dell'Arco, La festa barocca (1997), p.285-8; F. Hammond, Music & Spectacle in Baroque Rome (1994), p.214-24, 170-1; M. Fagiolo dell'Arco, Bibliografia della festa barocca a Roma (1994). A survey of pageants was B. Holme, Princely feasts and festivals: five centuries of pageantry (1988).
Summary Note
No publication-date is given on the title-plate but the dedication carries the date of '5 Febraio 1635'.
As the dedication and printer's address to the reader indicate, the work is a record of the celebration of the Festa di Saracino in Piazza Navona, arranged by Cardinal Antonio Barberini with special magnificence to honour the visit to Rome of Prince Alexander Charles of Poland in 1634.
The plates show: A. Fame in a chariot (represented by the Cardinal's castrato, Marcantonio Pasqualini); B. an entertainment with dancers and musicians; C-I. procession of footmen and horsemen in fancy dress; K. a decorated barge; L. a barge with oarsmen and musicians. Andrea Sacchi's preparatory drawing for the 'Danza in casa Falconieri' is preserved in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle.
Copy Note
Imperfect: lacks the 'Theatro, in fine della Relatione', called for by the 'Dichiaratione'.
Binding Note
20th-century half calf, orange cloth-covered boards; gilt-decorated spine, red morocco spine-label lettered 'Festa, Fatta In Roma 1634', spine letteerd 'R.A.'