Art Institute of Chicago

Melancholia

Domenico Fetti (Italian, c. 1589–1623)

Date

c. 1615

Medium

Oil on canvas

Culture

Italy

Department

Painting and Sculpture of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

In this elaborate allegory of the universal human emotion of melancholy, the paintbrushes, palette, and small sculpture in the bottom right reference the painter’s profession; and the hourglass, book, and compass represent other worldly pursuits. Domenico Fetti also included an armillary sphere and telescope in the background on the left to reflect the scientific interests of his patron Ferdinando Gonzaga’s court in Mantua. These interests are further exemplified by the large, bluish sphere in the foreground illustrating the topography of the moon as had been observed only recently by Galileo. Yet despite the achievements signified by the earthly objects whose value is fleeting, the figure of Melancholia contemplates a skull and the inevitability of death.

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