Remigio Cantagallina (Borgo Santo Sepolcro circa 1582-1656 Florence)

This extensive view of the Boboli Gardens shows its main avenue, known as the Viottolone. Flanked by antique statues, it leads to the Piazzale dell'Isolotto, completed by Giulio Parigi (1570-1635) in 1618. In the background to the left, the dome and campanile of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, can be seen. The drawing is dated '1641', on a bollard to the right, in Cantagallina's typically meticulous hand. A drawing dated '1618', also on a bollard, which interestingly shows a similar view of the Duomo and the Campanile, is in the Fondation Custodia, Paris (Inv. 8688; J. Byam Shaw, The Italian Drawings of the Frits Lugt Collection, Paris, 1983, I, no. 63, III, pl. 78).