Roman School, late 18th Century- Aldobrandini Wedding (Nozze Aldobrandini); bodycolour and oil on paper laid down on canvas, 28.5 x 80 cm. Note: The so-called Aldobrandini Wedding is an important Ancient Roman fresco in the Vatican Museum...

Roman School,

late 18th Century-

Aldobrandini Wedding (Nozze Aldobrandini);

bodycolour and oil on paper laid down on canvas, 28.5 x 80 cm.

Note: The so-called Aldobrandini Wedding is an important Ancient Roman fresco in the Vatican Museum. Discovered in around 1600 at a house on the Esquiline Hill in Rome, it was in the possession of the Aldobrandini family until 1818 when it was purchased by the Vatican Museum.

The present work closely follows the composition of the original. Ten people are present, in three groups, whose action takes place both indoors and outdoors. At the left and in the middle, the walls indicate that the figures are inside, whilst the group on the right are shown to be gathered outside this same household. The bride sits at the composition's centre, her head veiled, and in the throes of virginal anxiety before her husband arrives in the wedding chamber, while another female figure (traditionally identified as Venus) affectionately embraces her. The god Hymen (or the groom) is depicted on the threshold. Next to them, a goddess leans against a column, pouring fragrant essences into a shell.