The Grotta Grande, or of Buontalenti

Description

The exterior of the cave foreshadows the bizarre and surprising interior. It features a wide entrance between two columns topped by lintels, with spongy stalagmite-like concretions above the capitals, which appear to be "dripping" from the irregularly lunette-shaped opening above, where similar concretions similar to typical cave stalactites are found. On either side of the entrance are as many niches containing statues of Ceres and Apollo by Baccio Bandinelli. The upper register, dominated by the open lunette, is also decorated by two frames made of mosaic with colored pebbles, within which there are stuccoes with festoons and sea capricorns. The tympanum is also decorated by the spongy concretions on each edge, while in the center is the Medici coat of arms. Flanking it just below are two reclining female figures made in mosaic bas-relief. The first room of the cave is much larger than the others and features decoration where pictorial, sculptural and architectural elements blend together, giving a sense of wonder and bewilderment. The theme is that of formless matter, chaos, which through metamorphosis finds order and harmony, a theme related to the alchemy so dear to Francis I. From the walls, in fact, rocks, stalactites, sponges, and shells seem to come to life, composing themselves into anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures sculpted by stucco artist Pietro Mati. At the corners the four Prisoners by Michelangelo (now replaced by copies) harmonize well, which being only half sculpted seem to emerge from the formless rock with vigor. Only later does the image recompose itself as the scene of a natural cave in which the shepherds (done in both stucco and fresco) take refuge to defend themselves from wild animals. Bernardino Poccetti's fresco paintings blend admirably with the other elements, continuing up to the ceiling, which is decorated as an arbor i