All the paintings in this room were made for private homes, to be seen in the spaces of daily life. Many were designed for personal Christian devotion. Others reflect their owners’ interest in ancient history, or depict them and their loved ones.
In Renaissance Italy, the bedrooms of wealthy newly-weds were often richly decorated. The shapes and sizes of some of these paintings hint at how they were set into wall panelling or carved furniture. Subjects from ancient history, mythology and the Bible were popular. They often reflected themes considered fitting for a new household, displaying both the wealth and learned taste of their owners.
Jacopo Pontormo depicted stories of Joseph for the bedchamber of Pierfrancesco Borgherini. These vividly painted biblical episodes address forgiveness and family loyalty. Domenico Beccafumi’s classical heroines also formed part of such interior decorations, as models of wifely virtues and courage.
In ceiling paintings, artists often created visual illusions. There are examples here from Mantua and Ferrara, by artists like Garofalo and Dosso Dossi. Their paintings depict people of the court, musicians or theatrical characters. Removed from their original settings, these fragments let us glimpse the life and entertainments of the time.