The Seconda Macchina for the Chinea of 1757: The Fortress of Cockaigne
1757
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1757
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a wild, towering fortress made of wood and gold leaf. It’s covered in flags, statues, and strange decorations like a giant crown on top. Below, a crowd of tiny figures—some riding elephants, others pulling cannons—march around a rocky shore. The whole scene looks like a dream, with swirling clouds and a shipwreck on the left. The fortress is called the "Fortress of Cockaigne," a place from old stories where food and fun are endless. The artist drew it for a royal event in 1757, but it’s clearly not real—it’s more like a fantasy stage set. Want to see more? Check out etching to learn how artists like Pozzi made detailed prints like this.
