Sala del Consiglio Comunale (già Galleria
del Senato)/City Council Hall (formerly Senate Gallery)
The Senators' Gallery in Bologna was frescoed in 1676 by Angelo
Michele Colonna (1604-1687) with the help of Gioacchino Pizzoli (1651-1731).
This is a splendid example of Baroque art and of the typical inside decoration
which made Bologna's school famous throughout the world: the quadratura,
where the skilled use of perspective opens up to illusory views and landscapes.
The architectural quadratura covers a 34 m-long and 8.5 m-wide area.
Four painted columns support the mock moulding, thus creating the illusion of supporting another vaulted ceiling composed of five allegorical scenes, making reference to Bologna's virtues.
The first shorter wall of the Hall depicts the Town Coat of arms supported by two Virtues (Concord and Loyalty) together with the symbols of local and papal powers.
The central vault depicts:
1) Minerva (goddess of knowledge) and Mars (god of warfare) convincing
Fame to announce the town's virtues to the world.
2) Cybele pointing out to Bologna (depicted as a woman on a lion-driven
cart, symbolising strength and power) the glory of Olympus where Jupiter
is waiting for her.
3) Bacchus, Pomona and Caeres (referring to wine, fruit and harvest) has
the symbols of the fertile soil of Bologna.
In the second shorter wall: Vigilance and Prudence and the symbols of
the arts.
Text by Carla Bernardini and Gilberta Franzoni
(Musei Civici d'Arte Antica - www.comune.bologna.it/iperbole/MuseiCivici)
