Triumph of Divine Providence by Cortona Photograph by Weston Westmoreland

Triumph of Divine Providence by Cortona

by Weston Westmoreland

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Title

Triumph of Divine Providence by Cortona

Artist

Weston Westmoreland

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

The Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power, by Pietro da Cortona.

When you enter the grand salon of the Palazzo Barberini, you find it empty, devoid of any furniture but for a couple of flat benches. The room is huge, and when you raise your head to the ceiling high above, you find this endless fresco, full of color and stories, that tricks your eye with false perspective. Soon your neck starts to ache and then you lie on one of the benches so you are free to spend all the time you want looking up, while you read through the two pages of its description and identify and interpret the myriad of details and nuances it hides in plain sight. This fresco alone would make the visit to the palazzo more than worth the time. However, you can also visit the two staircases by Bernini and Borromini, two architectural masterpieces (check my Rome gallery). And I still have not mentioned the spectacular collection of paintings. Surprisingly, I didn't find many people visiting the place, which makes it even better. Don't miss this palazzo if you visit Rome.

I like this image set vertically better, but you can also display it in both landscape modes.

"The Triumph of Divine Providence" is located in the grand salon of the Palazzo Barberini, in Rome. This painting, over 400 square meters of decorated fresco, was created by the Italian painter Pietro da Cortona. The elaborate project was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII (Maffeo Barberini) in 1632, and finished by Cortona in 1639.

The immense composition celebrates the spiritual and political power of the Barberini family through over one hundred characters set in an open space, dilated to infinity beyond the limits imposed by the architecture. The only measure which can anchor the eye is the great rectangular cornice, painted to resemble marble, that divides the vault into 5 compartments. Divine Providence is seated at the center, enthroned on clouds, holding the royal scepter and commanding Fame to crown the three bees of the coat of arms of the Barberini family. In each of the side panels, opposing principles are depicted, such as vices and virtues, good and evil: Minerva fells the giants; Theology and Religion ward off lechery and debauchery; Hercules drives off the avid Harpies; and Good Government banishes war and ensures peace. Below Providence, the simulated frame crumbles. Time with a scythe seems to swallow a putti's arm.

Cortona's Allegory marks a turning point in Baroque painting. Following the architecture of the room, Cortona created the painted illusion of an open airy architectural framework against which figures are situated, apparently coming into the room itself or floating far above it. The ornamented architectural framework essentially forms five compartments. With its whirling vitality, frenetic rhythm and scenographic spatial illusionism, the fresco is one of the earliest and most accomplished examples of Baroque painting.

More Roman and Italian images in my Gallery at http://westonwestmoreland.com/collections/italy

You can learn more about what drives me in my blog:

http://inspiringthoughtsandimages.com/

Weston Westmoreland.