Antonio Tempesta (circa 1555-1630) is considered to have been one of the most important artists to paint on stone. Taking into account the natural appearance of the "canvas", he created paintings in which nature and art complement one another and are joined to form an aesthetic unit. This publication is the first to explore Tempesta's works on stone with reference to theological and mineralogical writings of the sixteenth and seventeenth century, positioning them within the context of contemporary collection and scientific history.