TIEPOLO, Giovanni Battista
(b. 1696, Venezia, d. 1770, Madrid)

The Apotheosis of the Spanish Monarchy

1762-66
Fresco, 1500 x 900 cm
Queen's Antechamber, Palacio Real, Madrid

The lower half of the oval ceiling fresco displays the personification of the Spanish Monarchy, enthroned among the clouds and crowned by Mercury. To the right above her, Apollo stands in front of his sun-chariot, while in the upper half of the picture we see Jupiter on his throne, Fame with trumpets, as well as putti and other divinities. Below the Spanish monarchy, the personification of Ancient Castilia, the most important Spanish province, appears with a tower, below that are Venus and Mars, while the meeting of the Continents Europe and Africa at Spanish Gibraltar is symbolized at the bottom left by tHe pillars of Hercules.