Putto

Description

The "Putto sopra la tartaruga" was made by Domenico Pieratti between 16 20 and 1621, as shown in the account of the statues made for the giar dino, commissioned by Cosimo II, dated April 22/May 3, 1622 (Capecc hi 2008, p. 70; ASF, Scrittoio delle Regie Possessioni, f. 2518). This p utto and the other cupids that adorn the Fountain originally adorned the perimeter of the large Island basin, where they are documented until 1638, and only after 1642 were they used to decorate the "Fon te del Carciofo." The small "festive putti" were part of the "Bath of Venus" set-up and constituted the goddess' entourage. For Gabrie le Capecchi, the image of the host of Cupids "swarming happily and maliz iosi around Venus" comes from Ovid's "Metamorphoses" (Capecchi 2008 , p. 70). The marbles of these putti came from the workshop of Tacca, who was officially given the commission to sculpt them. In 1617 the sculptor, absorbed by another assignment, gave the commission to Felice Palma to carve the p utti; the sculptures would then be completed by the other "sculptorini" of Boboli. (Capecchi 2008, p. 70; ASF, Scrittoio delle Regi e Possessioni, 2516, c. 221, c. 250)