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Council
of the Gods Fresco, designed by Raphael, painted by his workshop, 1518 Villa Farnesina, Rome Photograph by Alfonsus Widhi, 2018 |
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| The
fresco at the Villa Farnesina illustrates the story of
Cupid (Eros) and the mortal Psyche. This scene shows Zeus (Jupiter)
who has summoned the gods on Mount Olympus to announce that Psyche had
passed her tests on earth and that she was allowed to marry Cupid, after
making her immortal. Resembling tapestries, the fresco consists of two
primary scenes in the vault: the Council of the Gods, and the Marriage
of Cupid and Psyche, with a series of other episodes painted in the pendentives. The entire work is framed by a pergola design, decorated
with hanging festoons, giving it a festive and theatrical atmosphere,
and which also suggests a view that opens directly to the heavens. Raphael
designed the fresco–his drawings survive–but the fresco
was executed by members of his workshop, including Giovanni Francesco
Penni, Giulio Romano, and Giovanni da Udine. |
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