The Hall of the Grand Captain at the Royal Palace of Naples in Italy

Portrait of Caravaggio, Frescoes in the Hall of the Grand Captain at the Royal Palace of Naples by Battistello

Portrait of Caravaggio, by Battistello The frescoed vault is the most interesting part of the Grand Captain’s Hall in the Royal Palace of Naples.

These frescoes were painted in 1611 by Battista Caracciolo, known as Battistello, a Neapolitan artist who was strongly influenced by Caravaggio.

He felt affection and great respect for this painter of genius.

Indeed, in one of the paintings depicting “Alfonso de Cordova’s meeting with the Neapolitan ambassadors”, one can see a face between a guard and the ambassador; this face has been unanimously recognised as a portrait of Caravaggio.

Tapestry from the Hall of the Grand Captain in the Royal Palace of Naples by Pietro Duranti, an allegory of Love and Purity

Tapestry: Love and Purity This portrait was a tribute paid by Battistello to Caravaggio following his death in July 1610.

In the same room is a large tapestry created for Ferdinand IV’s bedroom by Pietro Duranti.

This tapestry dating from 1766 is an allegory of Love and Purity.

In this same room of the Grand Captain, there are also 12 small paintings by Federico Zuccari illustrating the proverbs of philosophers.

Paintings by Federico Zuccari, the Hall of the Grand Captain in the Royal Palace of Naples

Paintings by Federico Zuccari “Everyone turns up wearing a lucky charm”
“Don’t ask me why I fell down the well – just get me out. Man was born to help his fellow man” (Seneca)
“Sometimes even Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, loses her temper”
“Giving in to passion only makes the pain worse”
“Know thyself. Nature and wisdom ask for nothing more”
“Reason prevails over love”
“He who sleeps deserves nothing” (Plato)

Paintings by Federico Zuccari “Art has no enemies, except the ignorant”
“It is not through prayers and women’s lamentations that one secures the gods’ help. If you make the right decisions and behave well, all will be well; if you rely on stupidity and indolence, there is no point in imploring the gods: they will be angry and hostile” (Sallust)
“Do not let the devil find you idle: the devil does not tempt those who are engaged in good works” (St Jerome)
“Those who are wise manage to stay happy”
“Possessions earned through hard work are more highly valued than those inherited”

Frescoes in the Hall of the Grand Captain at the Royal Palace of Naples by Battistello

Battistello’s frescos