English: Sketch for the Ceiling of the Banqueting House,
Hampton Court PalaceTechniques - oil on paper, mounted on panel
Place - London, England
Dimensions -
Height 34.3 cm (unframed)
Width 49.8 cm (unframed)
Depth 1.2 cm
Object Type - This is a preliminary study, in effect the proposed design. It was probably intended to be shown to William III to obtain his approval for the full-scale work. The painting is not highly finished, and its technique is relatively crude but very vigorous.
People - Along with the architect Hugh May and the carver Grinling Gibbons, Verrio was responsible for introducing to England the Baroque style of interior decoration that had developed in Italy and France. His first commission from Charles II was the decoration of the staterooms at Windsor Castle and over the following 30 years he monopolised most of the important royal commissions. In 1684 Verrio was appointed Principal Painter to the King.
Subjects Depicted - Verrio shows the mythological figure of Minerva, the goddess of Wisdom, surrounded by allegorical figures representing Astronomy, Music, Poetry, Architecture, Sculpture and Painting. This subject symbolised enlightened royal patronage of the Arts, and Verrio has enlivened it with the dramatic gestures typical of his work.
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