PARNASSUS
In this relieve with a triptych shape.
171 x 105 x 13 cm

the mythological topic of the “Parnassus” is represented, as a sacred place where we can see the God Apollo and the Muses ; this theme has been represented by many artists of all periods, among them , Mantegna, Rafael, Poussin, H.van Balen, Thorwaldsen, Mengs, Appiani, etc. In the central picture of the composition,  curved in high relief  on sapelly wood , inside of the sacred woods,  with the Castalia fountain in the centre and over it, Apollo playing his lyre, appears surrounded by the nine Muses, characterized individually by their known attributes; they listen attentively to his music and one of put bridle  to Pegasus, the fabulous horse that also belongs to them. In the background we see the harmonious Graces, his companions of dances and songs. Himerus, the genius of the love desire who lives with the Muses and the Graces , appears , from behind in the foreground, also attentive to the music of Apollo , as well as the shepherds who are resting in the background  vertex of the pediment in which the characters can be fit. In the lateral niches we can see feminine figures , carved on the block, in maple wood , which represents Science (the one holding a book ) and Arts, ( the one holding a lyre); the rest of the decorative elements of the frame, are related to Classicism ornamentation.

 

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