Design for a theater set created by Giacomo Torelli da Fano for the ballet 'Les Noces de Thétis', from 'Décorations et machines aprestées aux nopces de Tétis, Ballet Royal' 1654

This etching by Israel Silvestre, dated 1654, depicts a stage design by Giacomo Torelli for the ballet "Les Noces de Thétis" (The Wedding of Thetis). The design features a grand, multi-level set with a central tunnel opening into a picturesque landscape. This is characteristic of the work of Torelli, who was a pioneer of Baroque stage design, known for his innovative use of perspective and illusionistic effects. This engraving gives a glimpse into the elaborate stagecraft used in 17th-century Italian theater, where the interplay of architecture, machinery, and scenic design was paramount.