Parnassus

The Parnassus, a mountain in the center of Greece, was considered in antiquity as the home of the nine muses that belonged to the retreat of the god Apollo as protective goddesses of the arts. Thus, the importance of a sanctuary of music, painting and literature was attributed to the Parnassus. The painting Parnassus by the Italian painter Andrea Mantegna leads the viewer on the legendary mountain and shows a mythological scene. Since the artist was Italian, he probably named the gods with their Latin and not their Greek names. On the rock arch stand Mars, the god of war, and the love goddess Venus, whose figure is based on ancient sculptures. On the right in a cave and wearing only a red cloak stands Vulcan, goddess and husband of Venus, in a desperate pose. In his rather dignified portrayal, he forms a clear contrast to the majestic Mars. Anteros, the avenger of unrequited love, aims a blowgun at Vulcan's genitals. In front of the arch, the nine muses dance to Apollo's play on the lyre. Right in the foreground of the picture, the messenger of the gods Mercury leans against the winged horse Pegasus.