DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61894#0072
62
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. II.
adorned with all the charms that the united arts
of painting, sculpture, and architecture could
bestow upon it. Eight pillars of alabaster sup-
port its roof; its floor is formed of an ancient
mosaic of the brightest colors, representing thea-
trical exhibitions and rural scenery; its ceiling is
painted and displays alternately historical events
and mythological fables. The spaces between
the columns are filled each with a statue, and the
walls are incrusted with ancient basso relievos
formed into pannels and placed in symmetrical
arrangement. Different antique seats, some of
which are formed of blocks of porphyry and sup-
ported by feet of gilt brass, are ranged along the
sides.
An open gallery forms a communication be-
tween this cabinet and the Stanze delle Buste on
one side, while on the other a small anti-chamber
opens into the Sail degli Animali. Hence through
a noble pillared vestibule you enter the hall, or
rather the Temple of the Muses; an octagon sup-
ported by sixteen pillars of Carrara marble with
ancient capitals, paved with ancient mosaics, re-
presenting in various compartments actors and
theatrical exhibitions separated and bordered by
mosaic. The vault above and the great divisions
of the sides, are adorned with paintings of Apollo,
the Muses, Homer, and various Poets - of Mi-
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. II.
adorned with all the charms that the united arts
of painting, sculpture, and architecture could
bestow upon it. Eight pillars of alabaster sup-
port its roof; its floor is formed of an ancient
mosaic of the brightest colors, representing thea-
trical exhibitions and rural scenery; its ceiling is
painted and displays alternately historical events
and mythological fables. The spaces between
the columns are filled each with a statue, and the
walls are incrusted with ancient basso relievos
formed into pannels and placed in symmetrical
arrangement. Different antique seats, some of
which are formed of blocks of porphyry and sup-
ported by feet of gilt brass, are ranged along the
sides.
An open gallery forms a communication be-
tween this cabinet and the Stanze delle Buste on
one side, while on the other a small anti-chamber
opens into the Sail degli Animali. Hence through
a noble pillared vestibule you enter the hall, or
rather the Temple of the Muses; an octagon sup-
ported by sixteen pillars of Carrara marble with
ancient capitals, paved with ancient mosaics, re-
presenting in various compartments actors and
theatrical exhibitions separated and bordered by
mosaic. The vault above and the great divisions
of the sides, are adorned with paintings of Apollo,
the Muses, Homer, and various Poets - of Mi-