Camerino Farnese Explained

The Camerino Farnese is a Fresco cycle (a series of frescos done about a particular subject) that emerged from the decision to paint the ceiling of the Camerino in Rome, before the summer of 1595. The Camerino is on the first, or principal, floor of the Palazzo Farnese, and measures slightly more than fifteen by thirty feet.

Instead of proceeding with the original plans for the Alessandro Farnese cycle, the Farnese Gallery frescoes glorifying their father's deeds would have to wait until the arrival of the book of drawings which Odoardo Fialetti had asked Cardinal Ranuccio Farnese to send him; in the meantime Annibale Carracci was to be given as his first task, the decoration of the cardinal's own study.

Frescoes of Camerino Farnese

Hercules bearing the globe

Hercules resting

Ulysses and Circe

Ulysses and the Sirens

Chastity

Intelligence

Security

Piety

Perseus and Medusa

Catanian Brothers

Justice

Temperance

Fortitude

Prudence

Further reading