Melancholia
c. 1615
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
149.5 × 113 cm (58 7/8 × 44 1/2 in.); Framed: 172.7 × 137.2 × 10.2 cm (68 × 54 × 4 in.)
Classification
oil on canvas
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
250762
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In this elaborate allegory of the universal human emotion of melancholy, the paintbrushes, palette, and small sculpture in the bottom right reference the painter’s profession; and the hourglass, book, and compass represent other worldly pursuits. Domenico Fetti also included an armillary sphere and telescope in the background on the left to reflect the scientific interests of his patron Ferdinando Gonzaga’s court in Mantua. These interests are further exemplified by the large, bluish sphere in t...
About the Artist
Domenico Fetti · 1591–1623
Fetti is known for portraits and religious paintings that were reworked into contemporary genre scenes. These popular paintings were typically small in scale but noted for their broad brushstrokes. He was probably born in Rome, but is often considered a member of the Venetian School. Comment on works: Religious