Gigants 1532

Giulio Romano painted this fresco of the 'Fall of the Giants' sometime between 1526 and 1535. It depicts a scene from classical mythology when the Giants attempted to storm Mount Olympus and were cast down by Jupiter. It was painted for the Palazzo del Te, in Mantua, Italy. Romano was working for Federico II Gonzaga, a major patron of the arts who wanted his summer palace to reflect his power and sophistication. The fresco itself is a riot of collapsing columns and terrified figures, all painted with a theatrical flair. It is a visually spectacular celebration of power, both divine and earthly. To understand such works more fully, one needs to research the complex social and political dynamics of Renaissance Italy, the patronage system, and the artist's biography. In doing so, we can better appreciate the ways in which art is always embedded in specific contexts and institutions.