DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42129#0054
14
VILLA MADAMA.
PLATE 8.
DECORATIONS OF THE CENTRAL VAULT AND TWO OF ITS ARCHIVOLTS.
[A OF THE PLAN.]
The armorial bearings of the Medici family occupies the centre of a
cross, formed by cassoons, with rosettes in stucco, on an azure ground,
and ending in four hexagon pictures representing the elements, or Jupiter
between Ganymede and the eagle ; Juno, on a rich chariot, drawn by
peacocks, accompanied by Amor ; Neptune, on a quadriga, drawn by fiery
sea-horses ; and Pluto, with Proserpine among the Eumenides. Between
these paintings, four round large white stuccoes, upon a gilt ground of
imitated gold mosaic, representing the Seasons, fill the space surrounded
with a multitude of small arabesques and foliage in painting, and in the
corners white drapery in stucco, all on a white ground. Between Jupiter
and Juno appears Spring, receiving from two Genii a basket with flowers.
Summer follows with his cornucopia, supported by Amorini. Between
Pluto and Neptune Ave observe Bacchus sitting upon a Avine cask, and
Cupids assisting him in the vintage. Finally, Winter is represented by
Vulcan, Avarming his hands at the flames of a tripod, AAdiile the Goddess
of Love and Beauty prepares him his nectar.
This rich centre is bordered by a red ribbon or frieze, subdivided by
cassoons and rosettes, similar to those which adorn the cross ; in each of
the eight subdivisions appear tAvo Genii, ending in arabesques, engaged
with lions, griffons, panthers, and similar animals. Between the Genii
the diamond ring of the Medici may be observed. A second circle,
encompassing the Avhole dome has green for its ground, AA'ith panels of
different shapes, and is studded Avith small and elegant cameos in relief ;
in the eight larger stuccoes are represented the principal heathen deities,
in light red, upon a darker hue ; these are encircled by very elegant
arabesques in various colours. In the horizontal ovates are some muses,
and other symbolical and mythological female figures, in the natural
VILLA MADAMA.
PLATE 8.
DECORATIONS OF THE CENTRAL VAULT AND TWO OF ITS ARCHIVOLTS.
[A OF THE PLAN.]
The armorial bearings of the Medici family occupies the centre of a
cross, formed by cassoons, with rosettes in stucco, on an azure ground,
and ending in four hexagon pictures representing the elements, or Jupiter
between Ganymede and the eagle ; Juno, on a rich chariot, drawn by
peacocks, accompanied by Amor ; Neptune, on a quadriga, drawn by fiery
sea-horses ; and Pluto, with Proserpine among the Eumenides. Between
these paintings, four round large white stuccoes, upon a gilt ground of
imitated gold mosaic, representing the Seasons, fill the space surrounded
with a multitude of small arabesques and foliage in painting, and in the
corners white drapery in stucco, all on a white ground. Between Jupiter
and Juno appears Spring, receiving from two Genii a basket with flowers.
Summer follows with his cornucopia, supported by Amorini. Between
Pluto and Neptune Ave observe Bacchus sitting upon a Avine cask, and
Cupids assisting him in the vintage. Finally, Winter is represented by
Vulcan, Avarming his hands at the flames of a tripod, AAdiile the Goddess
of Love and Beauty prepares him his nectar.
This rich centre is bordered by a red ribbon or frieze, subdivided by
cassoons and rosettes, similar to those which adorn the cross ; in each of
the eight subdivisions appear tAvo Genii, ending in arabesques, engaged
with lions, griffons, panthers, and similar animals. Between the Genii
the diamond ring of the Medici may be observed. A second circle,
encompassing the Avhole dome has green for its ground, AA'ith panels of
different shapes, and is studded Avith small and elegant cameos in relief ;
in the eight larger stuccoes are represented the principal heathen deities,
in light red, upon a darker hue ; these are encircled by very elegant
arabesques in various colours. In the horizontal ovates are some muses,
and other symbolical and mythological female figures, in the natural