Nicolò dell'Abate: the Fresco Master
Fresco fragments painted by Nicolò dell'Abate between 1540 and 1543 that decorate the Rocca
The Nicolò dell'Abate RoomRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The Room of the “Labours of Hercules”
The room was named after the painter of the frescoes, Nicolò dell'Abate. The detached frecoes represent a cycle of the “Labours of Hercules”.
The room is also referred to as the "Yellow Room", due to the color of its walls.
Hercules killing AntaeusRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The picture represents Hercules while he is suffocating the giant Antaeus in the presence of the Mother Earth.
Accorting to the myth, Antheus is invincible as he draws strength directly from his mother Earth.
In order to defeat him, Hercules has to lift Antheus from the ground, so as to prevent him from drawing strength from Earth. Hercules can then fight him man to man.
Hercules as a boy, choking snakesRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The picture represents Hercules strangling snakes in his cradle. This is an episode from Hercules' childhood, when he woke up his parents, who found their child intent on killing snakes put in his cradle by Era.
Hercules killing CacusRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The picture represents Hercules while he is killing Cacus, a character of the roman mythology who was born from Vulcan, with the power of spitting fire.
Hercules slaughtering the Cretan BullRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
The picture represents Hercules while he is slaughtering the Cretan Bull.
The Brides' Room
This room hosts fresco fragments painted by Nicolò dell'Abate and representing "Hope and a lion fighting against a bear, a dead gazelle”
Bride's room and Nicolò dell'Abate fresco fragmentsRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
This is one of the fresco fragments realised by Nicolò dell'Abate and hosted in the Bride's Room. It represents "Hope and a lion fighting against a bear, a dead gazelle”
Nicolò dell'Abate fresco fragmentRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
Above is "Hope and a lion fighting against a bear, a dead gazelle", below "Play of putti"
Nicolò dell'Abate fresco fragmentRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
It is a fresco fragment realised by Nicolò dell'Abate. The leopard seems to have a human aspect. It seems to have the face of a member of the family
Nicolò dell'Abate fresco fragmentRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
It represents "A unicorn and a dromedary”. It has been displayed in Tokyo and more recently in Bologna
Goats and billy-goats, a rabbit, a leopardRocca Meli Lupi di Soragna
It represents ”Goats and billy-goats, a rabbit, a leopard”. Below "Play of putti" by Nicolò dell'Abate
