Palazzo Barberini is really a special place: not only the museum, but also a noble mansion virtually intact since the beginning of the XVII century, when it was built after the election of Maffeo Barberini as pope, under the name of Urban VIII.

Its rooms are really a dream, not only to the paintings hanging on the walls, and part of that was the art collection of the family. For instance it is possible to remain mesmerized by the works of Raphael or Caravaggio, but also from other paintings of the masters and artists of the Renaissance or of the Baroque age, and even more. These walls are able to show visitors the non plus ultra of the history of art. But it is not enough. No, because what is perhaps most striking are the stunning frescoes that adorn the halls and that do all they can to pay homage to and celebrate the Barberini family. Here, then, a salon of the Palazzo Barberini, painted with subjects acts to recognize the importance and the greatness of Pope Urban VIII Barberini and his family. This is the "Triumph of Divine Wisdom" by Andrea Sacchi, a contemporary artist of Pietro da Cortona (a man who created a magnificent fresco in another hall of the same building, you can click here to read more about it) but different in style.

Therefore coming in this building is also good to understand how artists of the same time they were diametrically opposed. But let's come back to the masterpiece of the Sacchi, an established master of the time, that makes us understand, too, when the Barberini family did not spare any expense for their residence, we see a few figures, which neatly position themselves and stand out on this dazzling light. It seems, in effect, a representation of the Sun! We note, in this golden background, the personification of the Wisdom that the deeds of the pontiff and his family of origin. Following we also have another female figure holding a mirror (Prudence) and an eye (the eye of God who sees).

These are all personifications of Virtues, the same virtues that are home to the Palazzo Barberini, and who are a part of nature, of history and of the family itself. A background really amazing, which is not to say. Not a bad virtue! But there is much more to it, represented by the other female figures who personify the important qualities that every prince, king, or pope should have! For example, we see to our left the girl with the triangle (the Trinity) and the one with the crown (Nobility), not to mention the Beauty of the female figure with hair). It does not end here, because can see to the right and the left, a hare (a symbol of the fear of God's power) and a lion (God's love). All this indicates to us how, practically, Maffeo Barberini, was almost destined to be pope, just as his family was almost destined to be at the apex of the social ladder. With all these virtues, after all. But it does not end here, because the whole of the fresco is topped off by the representation of the Earth, an obvious symbol of the universality of these virtues. Question: the Earth, in fact, seems to almost turn it around in this Sun. Error or intention?