BALESTRA, Antonio
(b. 1666, Verona, d. 1740, Verona)

View of the ceiling

1738
Fresco
Villa Pompei Carlotti, Illasi

The the ceiling in the main hall of the villa, unfortunately damaged and repainted in certain areas, has a representation of The Triumph of Love, after Francesco Petrarch's poem. Cupid's ardent chariot burst through the clouds, drawn by majestic, impetuous steeds, headed toward Venus's beloved island of Cythera, where Cupid, the small but powerful god, will celebrate his triumph over man, who is vanquished by pleasure. On the gilded vehicle, Cupid is about to shoot his dart toward the throng he has subjugated.

The composition of the ceiling fresco, particularly the superb quartet of horses, might have made an impression on Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, who would return to this scheme on numerous occasions.




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