Artwork
Festival of the Gods
Festival of the Gods is a print by Diana Scultori. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Festival of the Gods is a multi‑sheet print on paper produced by the Italian engraver Diana Scultori. The work reproduces Giulio Romano’s fresco of the wedding of Cupid and Psyche, originally painted for the Palazzo del Tè in Mantua. Scultori’s version spreads across three joined sheets, translating a large wall painting into a portable graphic format.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts the mythological celebration of Cupid and Psyche’s marriage. Figures are shown in various states of undress, dancing, playing instruments, and feasting amid abundant food and wine. A temple and a towering tree frame a riverine landscape, while some characters appear to hover above the ground, emphasizing the festive, otherworldly atmosphere of the divine wedding.
Technique & Style
Scultori employs line engraving to model forms, using cross‑hatching and varied stroke density to suggest volume and shadow. The dense network of lines creates a sense of depth that approximates three‑dimensional space, while the intricate detailing captures the crowded, energetic scene of the original fresco.
History & Provenance
The print was made in the mid‑16th century, shortly after the original fresco was completed by Giulio Romano. It entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is currently held and displayed for public viewing.
Artist & collection
Marriage in Cana
Diana and Actæon
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
The Fate of the Evil Tongue
Untitled
The Dissolute Household
An Allegory in Honor of Innocent X
lo levò in aria gridando, ecco il pane della providenza (I Held It Aloft and Cried, "Behold the Bread of Divine Providence!")
Allegory of the Fall of Ignorant Humanity
Il Stregozzo
H Beard Print Collection
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins