Tomei Albiani Fountain

Attributedattributed to Battista Lorenzi (Italian, 1527 - 1594)

Additional Title(s)

Fountain

ClassificationsSCULPTURE

Date1570

Mediummarble

Dimensionsapproximately: 72 x 72 in. (182.9 x 182.9 cm.)

DescriptionThe fountain base, which was produced in Tuscany in the late Renaissance, displays on one side two inscriptions in Latin. The inscriptions disclose that the fountain base was made for an Italian man named Tommaso Albiani in 1570 and was restored by a family descendant named Francesco Tomei Albiani in 1791. On the other three sides of the fountain base are three coats of arms referring to the family of Tommaso Albiani, his wife, and Cosimo I de’ Medicis, Duke of Florence (1537-69) and first Grand Duke of Tuscany (1569-1574). Both the bottom and top basins are modern additions. The bronze statue portraying a Bacchante by Frederick William MacMonnies was added on top in 1920.

InscribedIn a cartouche on the south side, the inscription: INSIGNI ALBIANO D. (Eminent Sir Albiani); In a cartouche on the north side, the inscription: TOMASI A UXOR (Tommaso's wife); In a cartouche on the east side, the inscription: C M: MAG HET[R]V DX [COSMUS MEDICES MAGNUS HETRURIAE DUX] (Cosimo de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany); In a cartouche on the west side, the inscription: HONESTAE VOLUPTATI THOMAS ALBIANUS FONTEM ET VIRIDARU[M] PURGATO SOLO EXTRUIT A.D. MDLXX (made in 1570 for the honest pleasure of Tommaso Albiani in his rugged garden); UTRUMQUE DEIN[DE] LABEFACTUM FRAN. THOMEI ALBIANI RESTITUIT [sic] A.D. MDCCXCI (in 1791, Francesco Tomei Albiani had the fountain and garden restored)

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

On view

Object number12.8