Giuochi Festivi, E Militari, Danze, Serenate, Machine, Boscareccia Artificiosa, Regatta Solenne, Et altri sontuosi apprestamenti di Allegrezza Esposti Alla Sodisfattione Universale Dalla Generosità deel'A. S. D'Ernesto Augusto Duca Di Brusvich, E Luneburgo, Prencipe D'Osnapruch, &c. Nel tempo di suo dimora in Venetia Il tutto descritto, & espresso con sue figure Dal D. Gio: Matteo Alberti Medico Si S.A.S. Et alla medesima Altezza Serenissima Consacrate.

Giovanni Matteo Alberti

RA Collection: Book

Record number

03/1997

Author

Giovanni Matteo Alberti

Variant Title

Givochi festivi

Imprint

In Venetia: Nella Stamparia di Andrea Poletti Con Licenza De' Superiori., M. DC. LXXXVI.

Physical Description

34 p., 11 pl. (9 fold.): [1] illus.;510 mm. (Folio. In sixes.)

General Note

Pages 1-6 carry no numbers: these have been added by hand in the Royal Academy's copy. Letter-press and plates are pasted onto larger sheets. The British Library's copy includes a long folding plate showing a panorama of the whole regatta moving down the Grand Canal.

[T.p.] - [Illus: arms] - [Dedic.] - A Chi Legge - Noi Reformatori Della Studio di Padoua ... - [Text, with pl.; imprimatur].

Responsibility Note

Most plates are signed as engraved by 'ADalla Via'; some, by 'APortio'[?]; two are unsigned.

The illustration on page [2] is unsigned.

The work is dedicated by Gio: Matteo Alberti to 'Serenissima Altezza', Duke Ernst August (afterwards Elector of Hanover, and father of George I of Great Britain).

References

A survey of pageants was B. Holme, Princely feasts and festivals: five centuries (1988).

Summary Note

The plates present the reader with a succession of fantastically carved and decorated boats, each more surprising than the last, together with their costumed crews, and other temporary, festive constructions. The illustration on page [2] shows the arms of the elector.

The explanatory text is presented under the following headings: Boscaglia, Et Esercitii Militari Sopra il Lido di Venetia; Serenate A Universale Diletto; Origine, Introduttione, Et essenza della Regatta; Descrittione Della Machina, Che servì di meta à Remiganti ... ; Peota Di Venere; Di Marte; Di Glauco; Di Diana; Di Giunone; Di Pallade; Descrittione Della Margherota di S.A.S.; D'Altre Peota; Della Regatta Grande; Della Serenata Grande, Con Sua Nobilissima Machina; Della Machina Accennata.

Reproductions

The British Library's copy may be viewed in detail under 'Renaissance festival books' in its 'Treasures in full' section.

Provenance

Acquired by 1802. Recorded in A Catalogue Of The Library In The Royal Academy, London (1802).

Binding Note

19th-century half red morocco; gilt-tooled spine, lettered, 'Givochi Festivi', 'R.A.', '1686'.

Name as Subject

Ernst August Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg

Subject

Festivals - Fetes - Pageants - Regattas - Celebrations - Boats - Italy - Venice - History - 17th century - Baroque
Emblem books - Views - Vedute - Italy - 17th century
Pictorial works - Italy - 17th century