The Carved and Painted Zodiac

One of the rooms in the palace is called the Zodiac Room. Find out where the zodiac signs are located!

View of the Hall of the ZodiacQuirinale Palace

The room's name derives from its astrological-inspired decoration.

Libra, zodiac sign - Detail of the vault (1888) by Annibale BrugnoliQuirinale Palace

The painted zodiac signs appear alongside one another on the ribs of the vault.

Taurus, zodiac sign - Detail of the vault (1888) by Annibale BrugnoliQuirinale Palace

Each sign features a characteristic detail that makes it recognizable and is placed within a golden circle on top of the background of a starry sky.

The sun (1888) by Annibale BrugnoliQuirinale Palace

At the center of the long sides of the vault, the succession of zodiac signs is interrupted by paintings of the Sun and the Moon.

The moon (1888) by Annibale BrugnoliQuirinale Palace

They indicate the apparent path in the zodiac.

View of the Hall of the Zodiac with the Brustolon armchairs and the Camel tapestryQuirinale Palace

The zodiac theme is also apparent in the furnishings, set against the walls are 12 armchairs. 

These were made at the beginning of the 18th century by Andrea Brustolon, who was nicknamed the "Michelangelo of wood" by French novelist and playwright, Honoré de Balzac.

Brustolon Chair (Early 18th century) by Andrea BrustolonQuirinale Palace

The 12 imposing chairs are made of boxwood and were upholstered in plain red silk velvet when they were last restored. The velvet was hand-woven on old looms at an ancient factory in Venice.

The boxwood, glazed with a warm reddish-brown hue, is particularly hard-wearing and suitable for carving work.

The chair's superior characteristics reveal the carver’s craftsmanship: the front legs are made from a single block, while some more elaborate elements have also been added.

Aries - Detail of Brustolon Chair (Early 18th century) by Andrea BrustolonQuirinale Palace

Each chair represents a sign of the zodiac and the attributes of the natural world associated with each month of the year. The signs are carved onto the armrests.

Sagittarius - Detail of the Brustolon Chair (Early 18th century) by Andrea BrustolonQuirinale Palace

Along the entire structure of each chair, however, there are carvings that depict activities and produce relating to each month of the year.

Brustolon Chair (Early 18th century) by Andrea BrustolonQuirinale Palace

The decorative elements, taken from the natural world (tree branches and trunks, intertwined plant shoots), are gathered in bundles that make up the structure of the connecting legs and crosspieces. 

Specific flowers and fruit associated with the particular month cover the crosspieces.

The iconography is subtle and elegant considering the exuberant layout of the entire structure. The details arranged along the supports, armrests, and chair legs symbolically allude to the season and month in question.

Cancer - Detail of the Brustolon Chair (Early 18th century) by Andrea BrustolonQuirinale Palace

On the chair representing Cancer, there is a reference to the month of June: the harvest of crops, symbolized by ears of wheat.

Libra - Detail of the Brustolon Chair (Early 18th century) by Andrea BrustolonQuirinale Palace

On the chair representing Libra—the month of September—each part is formed by vine shoots with abundant bunches of grapes and leaves.

The effect: an animated and lively intertwining of plants and fruit.

Scorpio - Detail of Brustolon Chair (Early 18th century) by Andrea BrustolonQuirinale Palace

The entire frame of the Scorpio chair is made up of corn cobs that represent activity traditionally connected to the month of October.

Pisces - Detail of the Brustolon Chair (Beginning of the 18th century) by Andrea BrustolonQuirinale Palace

The chair that represents Pisces features wreaths with pointed, bare branches, as well as buds which are ready to shoot. These activities are connected to the pruning of vines, according to the ancient calendar of the Labors of the Months.

Virgo - Detail of Brustolon Chair (Early 18th century) by Andrea BrustolonQuirinale Palace

On the Virgo chair, themes inspired by serene pastoral scenes can be found.

Brustolon Chair (Early 18th century) by Andrea BrustolonQuirinale Palace

There is a carving of a shepherd shearing a sheep held on his knees.

Explore the Zodiac Room decoration and find out where is located your zodiac sign!

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