Ceiling design: Apollo, Saturn, Ceres and other gods

item details

NameCeiling design: Apollo, Saturn, Ceres and other gods

ProductionFedele Fischetti; artist; mid to late 18th century

Classificationdrawings, works on paper

Materialsink, graphite pencil, paper

Materials Summarypen and ink, and wash with traces of pencil

Techniqueswash technique

DimensionsImage: 240mm (width), 360mm (height)

Registration Number1972-0006-1.a

Credit linePurchased 1972 with Lindsay Buick Bequest funds

Overview

The Neopolitan artist Fedele Fischetti (1732–1792) depicts Cupid slightly later in his career, about to shoot the warrior god Apollo, with the anxious nymph Daphne in the background, her movement denoted by the stylised whirl of drapery. This is an unusual moment to choose: more familiar is the lovestruck Apollo in pursuit of the resisting Daphne, who is transformed into a laurel tree at the moment of contact. Although this is a small-scale ink drawing, its execution is fluent and charming. We can sense how it might form the basis of a far larger fresco painting or tapestry, for which Fischetti was famed. An art historian would term it ‘Rococo’, denoting the featherlight decorative style that dominated 18^th century European painting, sculpture and decorative arts, perfect for conveying themes of love.

Sourced from: ttp://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2015/02/12/art-for-valentines-day/