View of the Room of Scipio

The Villa Caldogno is the result of one of Palladio’s early projects. Its construction began in 1542, Construction of the building and the decoration of the interiors extended over a long period of time, brought to completion only in 1570. The fresco decoration was completed by Giovanni Antonio Fasolo and Giovanni Battista Zelotti.

The fresco decoration transfigures the interior spaces into a sumptuous architectural stage set. It unfolds in the loggia, the Central Hall, and two rooms on the left. The frescoes in the loggia and the Central Hall are the work of Fasolo, whereas the other two rooms, the Room of Scipio and the Room of Sofonisba, were decorated by Zelotti, with some contributions by Fasolo.

In the Room of Scipio, the principal episodes are dedicated to the celebration of the virtue of Clemency, as seen through Scipio’s actions. Within the compartments, which are separated by Corinthian columns that support the painted trabeation, Zelotti painted The Clemency of Scipio, Scipio Returning Lucius’s Betrothed, and Scipio Urged to Free the Carthaginian Hostages.