With Umberto Eco as our guide, explore Parnassus, the Garden of Earthly Delights, Alcina’s island, Colchis, and the Garden of the Hesperides.
Poussin
Although painting and sculpture are closely allied, it’s curious to depict sculpture in painting. Examples range from early grisailles to ribald depictions of the Roman god Priapus.
The Pyrrhic War, against the Greeks under Pyrrhus, left the Romans in charge of the whole of Italy. Then came the Carthaginians, who were beaten in the First Punic War.
The Gauls took the whole city of Rome, apart from its Capitol, but were then effectively put under siege themselves. The city was looted and sacked.
Telling a story in a standalone painting, and telling one in illustrations, are very different. Examples by Masaccio, Poussin, Crane, Rackham, and Hogarth.
After his banishment from Rome, Caius Marcius co-led the Volscians and brought them almost to the city’s gates, ready to invade. He was then sent a deputation of women.
Far from being the idyllic countryside, the gleaners who followed the harvesters brought a strong social message.
How a nymph is reputed to have dictated the first laws of Rome, and warrior triplets saved Rome from Alba. Poussin, David and others.
A celebration of painted dragons in European art, including Moreau, William Blake, Raphael, Tintoretto and others.
Romulus as founder of Rome, including the Rape of the Sabine Women and paintings by Rubens, Poussin, Ingres, David and others.
