Sketches for costumes
by BUONTALENTI, Bernardo, Manuscript (Ms. Pal. C. B. 3. 53, vol. II)
Bernardo Buontalenti, the Florentine architect and sculptor, created also scenery for feast and spectacles. On the occasion of the marriage of Fernando I de’ Medici to Cristina of Lorraine in 1589, he designed the scenery, costumes, ornaments and chariots for the six Intermezzi (Intervals) in Gerolamo Bargagli’s play, Pellegrina.
In the pen drawing painted in watercolour on folios 30v and 31r, the Hamadryad nymphs are shown on the slopes of a steep hill. According to the plan shown in the sketch, the nymphs entered the stage on an engine that was seven metres in height, greatly amazing the spectators.