Mars and Neptune
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Mars and Neptune is painted by Paolo Veronese from 1575 - 1578. The Italian Renaissance painter Paolo Veronese(1528–1588) is known for the idea of opulence and splendor of Renaissance Venice that reflected in his arts. Being educated in the shadow of the antiquarian taste, he has been appreciated for his works’ inextricably linkage with unique crowded compositions [1] and his distinctive, advanced, and splendid use of color to achieve the theatrical effects, which also made him known as one of the greatest colorists. [2] Mars and Neptune is placed on the ceiling of the Council Chamber (Sala del Collegio) decorated by Italian architect Andrea Palladio in the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) in Venice, Italy. The purpose of the masterpiece on the ceiling is to commemorate the good management of the Venetian Republic and the prosperity status. It also shows how the Republic inherited on and further strengthen the faiths and virtues that were essential throughout history to govern Venice. [3]
The artwork Mars and Neptune highlights the characteristics of the painter’s style, such as the brimful composition and the dramatics of the scene. In the foreground, we can see the figures of two warrior-like gods, a sinister roaring lion, and the head of a horse decorated with flowers. More metal armors and decorations. seamlessly fill the space, which is a typical structure for Veronese. The apparent contrast of light and dark and the color scheme with the theme of white, red, and blue enhance the magnificence of this heroic scene of the myth. In addition, the details of the bright decorations and the picturesque scenery composed of the sky and buildings in the background constitute a prosperous and cheerful festive atmosphere. [4]
The movements of the figures and other icons in the painting have strong symbolic meaning. The two protagonists are Mars (in charge of the war, representing the power of Venice on land) and Neptune (in charge of the ocean, representing the territory of the country on water). The parallel relationship between them can also be reflected in the interesting symbolic similarity between the warrior god's helmet and the huge sea god's shell in both angel’s hands. However, the contrast between the shapes and movements of these two characters foreshadow the transformation: Neptune is depicted as elderly and fatigued whereas Mars is full of the vitality and liveness in his prime. The difference in the action of Neptune’s curved back and Mar’s zealous gaze at the angle with his back upright, together with the light and shadow cast on the faces of the characters emphasize this contrast. All the symbolic elements hint the implied historical meaning of rebirth and shift — Venice is about to have a new transform by improving the development of terrestrial resources rather than the holdings on water. [5]
[1] Salomon, Xavier. “Paolo Veronese (Paolo Caliari) (1528–1588).” metmuseum.org. In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, November 2011. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/vero/hd_vero.htm
[2] Zamperini, Alessandra, and Grace Crerar-Bromelow. 2014. Paolo Veronese.Summary https://find.library.duke.edu/catalog/DUKE006038110
[3] “Second Floor.” Palazzo Ducale. Accessed September 16, 2020. https://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/the-museum/layout-and-collections/institutional-chambers/second-floor/.
[4] “Mars and Neptune by Paolo Veronese.” painting. Accessed September 16, 2020. https://painting-planet.com/mars-and-neptune-by-paolo-veronese/.
[5] Griffith, Elizabeth. “The Winged Lion of St. Mark: Logo of Venice, Inc.” European Business History Association 2005 Conference Frankfurt “Images of the Corporation,” September 1, 2005.
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Source
Griffith, Elizabeth. “The Winged Lion of St. Mark: Logo of Venice, Inc.” European Business History Association 2005 Conference Frankfurt “Images of the Corporation,” September 1, 2005.
“Mars and Neptune by Paolo Veronese.” painting. Accessed September 16, 2020. https://painting-planet.com/mars-and-neptune-by-paolo-veronese/.
Mars and Neptune by VERONESE, Paolo. Accessed September 16, 2020. https://www.wga.hu/html_m/v/veronese/08/collegio/2ceilin3.html.
Rearick, W. R. “Paolo Veronese's Earliest Works.” Artibus et Historiae 18, no. 35 (1997): 147. https://doi.org/10.2307/1483544.
Salomon, Xavier. “Paolo Veronese (Paolo Caliari) (1528–1588).” metmuseum.org. In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, November 2011. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/vero/hd_vero.htm.
“Second Floor.” Palazzo Ducale. Accessed September 16, 2020. https://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/the-museum/layout-and-collections/institutional-chambers/second-floor/.
Image Source: Paolo Veronese, “Mars, Neptune and the Lion of Saint Mark,” Venetian Art, accessed September 16, 2020, http://library.bc.edu/venetianart/items/show/1829.
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