Painting of the Month

Virtual tour of the 'camerino d'alabastro'

From 1517 to 1523 Titian was commissioned by the Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso d'Este, to paint three mythological scenes for his 'camerino'. The 'camerino' (room) was a luxurious private apartment in his palace where the Duke could relax and indulge, uninhibited, in life's pleasures. He filled it with precious items by modern and classical artists.

Alfonso approached some of the greatest artists of the day to decorate the 'camerino'. The elderly Giovanni Bellini painted 'The Feast of the Gods'. Raphael and Fra Bartolommeo both died before their paintings were finished. Titian completed the project. He created 'The Worship of Venus', 'Bacchus and Ariadne', and 'The Andrians'.

See a reconstruction of Alfonso d'Este's lost 'camerino d'alabastro' below