The Seven Wonders of the World, Bernard Rantwyck (Flanders, active c. 1573 - 1596), Pitti Palace

These paintings are a pictorial transposition of the Maarten Van Heemskerck’s designs for the engravings by Philip Galle in 1572. The Coliseum is found in both series, while the Lighthouse of Alexandria is only found in the engraving series. Rantwyck mainly follows the prototypes, however he changes certain aspects to render the fantasy-like atmosphere. He arranges the seven monuments in prominent positions within the general organization of the paintings. Moreover he adds episodes from the history of the monuments themselves through the presence of main characters, ‘macchiette’ (figurines) and an enchanting landscape.

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, The Walls of Babylon, The Coliseum, The Temple of Arthemis at Ephesus, The Pyramids in Egypt, The Colossus of Rhodes, The Statue of Zeus at Olympia