The artwork, titled “Venus’s Farewell to Aeneas, from the Room of the Aeneid in the Palazzina,” was created by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in 1757. This exquisite fresco is a quintessential example of the Rococo art movement and belongs to the genre of mythological painting.
The artwork depicts a pivotal moment from Virgil’s *Aeneid*. The central figure, Venus, is shown in a dynamic composition as she bids farewell to her son, Aeneas. Aeneas, adorned in classical armor, appears steadfast and attentive to his divine mother. Venus is elevated and enshrouded in clouds, emphasizing her divine nature and separation from the mortal realm. The background features nautical elements, suggesting the voyage that Aeneas is about to undertake. The use of soft, pastel hues, along with the graceful, flowing lines, captures the elegance and elaborate style characteristic of Rococo art. The fresco’s composition skillfully directs the viewer’s gaze through the interaction between the divine and human, encapsulating the mythological essence with grandiosity and reverence.
