View Page: Divine Nepotism

	Divine Nepotism
	written by lmschultz / 08.01.2005

Section Three

3 of 7

Function

Fig. 4

Detail of Divine Providence, central narrative

The central grouping in the Barberini ceiling illustrates the lessons Cortona’s learned from Veronese’s Triumph of Venice in the Doge’s Palace. In addition to addressing spatial solutions and grouping of figures, the way the illusionism takes effect in the Venetian painting, inspired Cortona. When observed from the ideal station point the figural plane tilts forward and the figures seem to rise. This is quite different from the static, geometric groupings popular in Renaissance period ceilings. The Barberini figures are dynamic, in a state of evolution as if they might disappear any moment. From directly below, where many photographs of ceilings are taken, this entire effect is lost. Cortona takes into account the points of entry into the salone and bases his illusionism around these key points. From the correct viewing point all of the rhythm and energy lead the viewer’s eye toward the principal subject matter in the central panel. In addition to the central panel, the images that most project into the viewer’s plane are those which represent positive moral virtues: Minerva, Moral Knowledge and Dignity, the theological virtues and the animals denoting the cardinal virtues. Cortona uses illusionism not only as a formal devise to bedazzle but also to send a subtle moral message to the viewer.

To better understand the complex program of the ceiling one must first look to the patron who commissioned the work. Urban VIII came from a relatively obscure background. His family became wealthy in the wool trade in Tuscany but their holdings and social standing were relatively modest by Roman standards. The papal electoral system followed the belief that the hand of God controlled the proceedings and no matter how mysterious the outcome, the final choice was a matter of divine election. Thus, when Maffeo Barberini unexpectedly became Pope, with all the wealth from the income of the Papal States at his family’s disposal, he faced immediate resistance from the older and established papal families in Rome. It therefore became necessary for the Barberini to convince the world of the God-given nature of their good fortune.

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