Allesandro Farnese was an Italian noble. He became Pope Paul III in 1534 and remained pope until 1549. His gifts to his natural son Pier Luigi Farnese of the duchies of Parma and Piacenza laid the foundation of the wealth and greatness of the Farnese family. Research Alessandro Farnese
Annibale Caro was an Italian writer. He was born in 1507 and died in 1566. He was secretary to several members of the great Farnese family. He devoted himself to numismatics and the Tuscan language, and became famous for the elegance of his style. Among his works are Translations of the AEneid and of Aristotle's Rhetoric. Research Annibale Caro
Carlo Cignani was an Italian painter. He was born in 1628 at Bologna and died in 1719. He was the last great painter of the Bolognese school. His finest paintings are frescoes in the saloon of the Farnese Palace, Bologna, and in the cupola of the Church of the Madonnadel Fuoco at Forli. His paintings have been engraved by various artists. Research Carlo Cignani
Elizabeth Farnese was Queen of Spain. She was born in 1692 and died in 1766. The daughter of Edward II, prince of Parma, on becoming the second wife of Philip V she surprised those who had counselled the marriage by assuming the practical headship of the kingdom, and her ambition and that of her minister Alberoni disturbed the whole of Europe. She was described as the 'termaganttenacious woman', by Carlyle. Research Elizabeth Farnese
The Farnese were an illustrious Italian family of Italy, whose descent may be traced from about the middle of the 13th century, and which gave to the church and the Republic of Florence many eminent names. The line became extinct with Antonio Farnese in 1731. The name of the Farnese is associated with several famous buildings and works of art. The Farnese Palace, at Rome, was built for Pope Paul III while he was cardinal, by Sangallo and Michael Angelo. Its sculpturegallery was formerly very celebrated, but the best pieces have been removed to Naples, including the following: The Farnese Bull, a celebrated ancient sculpture representing the punishment of Dirce, discovered in the 16th century in the Baths of Caracalla at Home; Farnese Hercules, a celebrated ancient statue of Hercules by Glycon, found in the Baths of Caracalla in 1540; Farnese Flora, a colossal statue of great merit, found in the Baths of Caracalla; Farnese Cup, an antiqueonyxcup, highly ornamented with figures in relief. Research Farnese
Giovanni Lanfranco was an Italian painter. He was born in 1581 at Parma and died in 1647. He studied under Annibale Carracci at Rome, where he assisted his master in the decoration of the FarneseGallery and the church of Saint Giacomo. Research Giovanni Lanfranco
Michael Angelo Buonarotti was an Italian painter, sculptor, architect and poet. He was born in 1475 at Tuscany and died in 1563. He studied drawing under Domenico Ghirlandaio, and sculpture under Bertoldo at Florence, and having attracted the notice of Lorenzo de'Medici, was for several years an inmate of his household.
Having distinguished himself both in sculpture and painting, He was commissioned (together with Leonardo da Vinci) to decorate the senate-hall at Florence with a historical design, but before it was finished, in 1505, he was induced by Pope Julius II to settle in Rome. Here he sculptured the monument of the pontiff (there are seven statues belonging to it) now in the church of St Pietro in Vincoli; and painted the dome of the Sistine Chapel, his frescoes representing the creation and the principal events of sacredhistory.
In 1530 he took a leading part in the defence of Florence against Charles V. Three years later he began his great picture in the Sistine Chapel, the Last Judgment, which occupied him eight years. His last considerable works in painting were two large pictures: the Conversion of St Paul and the Crucifixion of St Peter in the Pauline Chapel.
In sculpture he executed the Descent of Christ from the Cross, four figures of one piece of marble. His statue of Bacchus was thought by Raphael to possess equal perfection with the masterpieces of Phidias and Praxiteles. As late as 1546 he was obliged to undertake the continuation of the building of St Peter's, and planned and built the dome, but he did not live long enough to see his plan finished, in which many alterations were made after his death. Besides this, he undertook the building of the Piazzadel Campidoglio (Capitol), of the Farnese Palace, and of many other edifices. His style in architecture is distinguished by grandeur and boldness, and in his ornaments the untamed character of his imagination frequently appears, preferring the uncommon to the simple and elegant. His poems, which he considered merely as pastimes, contain, likewise, convincing proofs of his great genius. His prose works consist of lectures, speeches, etc. Research Michael Buonarotti
In Greek and Roman mythology, Hercules (called by the Greeks Heracles) was the most celebrated hero or semi-divine personage, he was the son of Zeus (Jupiter) by Alcmena, the wife of Amphitryon and was brought up at Thebes, and before he was eight months old he had strangled two snakes sent by the jealous Hera (Juno) to devour him.
In his youth he had several distinguished instructors, among them the CentaurCheiron. Early in life he had, at the command of Zeus, to subject himself for twelve years to the will of Eurystheus, on the understanding that after he had acquitted himself of this duty he should be reckoned in the number of the gods. He, therefore, went to Mycenae, and performed at the bidding of Eurystheus the tasks known as the twelve labours of Hercules. These were
Bring from the infernal regions Cerberus the three headed dog of Hades.
Besides these labours, he also achieved of his own accord others equally celebrated. Thus, he assisted the gods in their wars against the giants, and it was through him alone that Zeus obtained the victory.
Having attempted to plunder the temple at Delphi, he became engaged in conflict with Apollo, and was punished by being sold to Omphale, queen of Lydia, as a slave, who restored him to liberty and married him. Having latterly returned to Greece, he became the husband of Dejanira, who unwittingly brought about his death by giving him a tunic poisoned with the blood of the Centaur Neasus, which she innocently believed would retain for her Hercules' love. The poison took effect whenever the garment was put on, and as the distemper was incurable, Hercules placed himself on a burning pile on the top of Mount OEta, was received up into heaven, and being there reconciled to Hera, received her daughter Hebe in marriage. At the death of Hercules Deianira killed her self also through grief.
In ancient works of art Hercules is generally represented naked, with strong and well-proportioned limbs; he is sometimes covered with the skin of the Nemaean lion, and holds a knotted club in his hand, on which he often leans. The principal ancient statue of him which remains is the Farnese Hercules at Naples, a work of the Athenian Griycon, The myth of Hercules is believed by many writers to represent the course of the sun through the twelve signs of the zodiac. His marriage with Hebe was explained even by the ancients as symbolic of the renewing of the sun's course after its completion. Research Hercules
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Alessandro Farnese
