Parnassus, Andrea Mantegna, 1497

Description of the picture:

Parnassus – Andrea Mantegna. 1497. Tempera on canvas. 160×192
The complex, allegorical content of the picture leads the viewer to recall the complex intricacies of Greek mythology, and directly – the secret alliance of Aphrodite with Ares. Love and war, combined together, gave rise to Fear and Horror, Eros and Harmony. Enraged was the husband of Aphrodite Hephaestus, but could not do anything. The lovers were helped by the eternal prankster of Olympus Hermes, and Apollo also had a hand in adultery, giving Ares and Aphrodite a shelter in Parnassus.

All the participants in this controversial incident we see in the picture. The estranged Hermes holds the winged Pegasus, ready to start the muse song, drawn to playing Apollo on cifar. In the distance you can see the figure of the infuriated Hephaestus, who left his work in the forge. The culprits of the scandal themselves crown the composition: the tender and sensual Aphrodite and the courageous, stern Ares.

The work is overloaded with symbols and allegories, which until now have not been solved. The color of the work is rich and diverse. The color language of the picture is more interesting. And the image of the bed next to the main characters is still on the verge of decency for the 15th century."

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