Apotheosis of Hercules
by CANUTI, Domenico Maria, Fresco
The picture shows the ceiling of the Salone in the Palazzo Pepoli Campogrande.
In the centre of the illusionistic ceiling system a large oval panel shows Hercules being welcomed to Olympus. Huge “ignudi” with weapons and banners occupy diagonally placed lunettes in the corners of the room, each of them accompanied by a female personification painted in grisaille. These seated giants lead over into the second register of framing, which is dominated by twelve standing telamones, some clothed, some nude, upon whose heads rest massive curved gables leading up to the inner framing of the ceiling.