A fountain designed for a parade in Reggio, Italy: "Machina della Confraternità de' Crocesegnati presso S. Domenico" (The Apparatus of the Confraternity of the Sign of the Cross at the Church of St. Dominic). Plate 3 from A. Isacchi, "Relatione di Alfonso Isachi intorno l'origine, solennità, traslatione, et miracoli della Madonna di Reggio [...]" published by Flaminio Bartoli, Reggio.

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This enchanting print, titled *Machina della Confraternità de' Crocesegnati presso S. Domenico* (The Apparatus of the Confraternity of the Sign of the Cross at the Church of St. Dominic), captures a grand fountain designed for a festive parade in Reggio, Italy, in 1619. As Plate 3 from Alfonso Isachi's illustrated book *Relatione di Alfonso Isachi intorno l'origine, solennità, traslatione, et miracoli della Madonna di Reggio*, published by Flaminio Bartoli, it depicts an elaborate temporary structure likely erected by the local Confraternity during religious celebrations honoring the Madonna di Reggio—a revered Marian image known for its miracles. In the early Baroque era, such "machinae" were highlights of Italy's vibrant public spectacles, blending architecture, hydraulics, and symbolism to inspire awe and devotion amid the Counter-Reformation's emphasis on sensory piety. These ephemeral fountains, often adorned with sculptures and flowing water, transformed city streets into stages for processions, drawing communities together in shared faith. Printed documentation like this preserved their designs for posterity, showcasing the ingenuity of anonymous artisans. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection (museum purchase through gifts and the Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund), this rare print offers a window into 17th-century Italian festival culture, where art served both spiritual and civic pride. Though research continues, it reminds us how prints immortalized fleeting wonders.

About the Artist

Unknown

The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...