NIGETTI, Matteo
(b. ca. 1565, Firenze, d. 1648, Firenze)

Project for the Altar of the Cappella dei Principi

1602
Watercolour drawing on paper, 745 x 520 mm
Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, Florence

Ferdinando I de' Medici planned a small temple-shaped altar, entirely composed of semiprecious stones and precious metals to make it sparkle like a jewel, to be placed in the centre of the precious treasure chest that was the Cappella dei Principi (Chapel of the Princes). This model was drawn by Matteo Nigetti who directed the project which was never completed.