|
Bernardino Luini (artist) Italian, c. 1480 - 1532 Cephalus and Pan at the Temple of Diana, c. 1520/1522 fresco overall: 226 x 103.5 cm (89 x 40 3/4 in.) Samuel H. Kress Collection 1943.4.54 On View |
Object 8 of 9
Act V of Niccolò’s drama concludes the story with the young bride being revived by the benevolent goddess Diana. Cephalus, led toward his happy second reunion by the goat-footed satyr, Pan, approaches a temple. Its sacred portal is inscribed “VIRGINITAS” and is topped by a statue of Diana, the spear-bearing goddess of the hunt and chastity.
Luini’s imaginary temple shows his profound knowledge of classical architecture; the octagonal structure with Corinthian columns possesses a majestic clarity of proportion. The edges of the building reveal Luini’s preliminary outlines scratched onto the wet plaster through his cartoon, or full-scale preparatory drawing, before he began painting.
| « | back to gallery | » | continue tour |
