“Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto,” an artwork by Caravaggio, created around 1597, is a fresco exemplifying the Baroque art movement. This mythological painting, measuring 300 x 180 cm, is housed in the Casino di Villa Boncompagni Ludovisi in Rome, Italy.
The artwork captures a dynamic scene on a ceiling, where three mythological figures—Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto—are depicted engaging in different activities. Centered prominently in the composition is a vast circular object, seemingly a celestial body or orb, being supported by an eagle-winged figure. Above this, there are two nude male figures, one holding a trident, indicative of Neptune, and another associated with ties to animals, suggestive of Jupiter. Each character is steeped in rich symbolism and meticulous detail, consistent with the Baroque era’s emphasis on emotion and movement. The use of chiaroscuro in the artwork beautifully highlights the physicality and dramatic tension of the scene, embodying Caravaggio’s mastery in creating lifelike figures infused with a sense of divine and mythological grandeur.