Annibale, on the basis of the prolific…

Annibale, on the basis of the prolific and masterful frescoes by the Carracci in Bologna, has been recommended by the Duke of Parma, Ranuccio I Farnese, to his brother, the Cardinal Odoardo Farnese, who wishes to decorate the piano nobile of the cavernous Roman Palazzo Farnese.

Annibale and Agostino travel in November-December of 1595 to Rome to begin decorating the Camerino with stories of Hercules, appropriate since the room houses the famous Greco-Roman antique sculpture of the hypermuscular Farnese Hercules.

Meanwhile, Caravaggio executes a number of intimate chamber-pieces for Del Monte and his wealthy art-loving circle.

These include The Musicians, The Lute Player, and a tipsy Bacchus, all probably painted in 1595.