Phaeton Hall

In the vault the myth of Phaeton is represented, surrounded by squares with Sunrise, Midday, Sunset and Night, and ovals with Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Phaeton, son of Apollo and Climene, begged his father to let him drive the chariot of Sun.

Due to his total inexperience, the horses abandoned their usual route and the chariot got too close to the Earth causing havouc. Therefore Jupiter struck the reckless young man with lightning and he fell into the River Eridano, today’s River Po. The scene and allegorical figures surrounding it, outlined in smooth and sinuous forms, symbolise the sin of Hybris, the audacity of mortals in wanting to carry out feats above their possibilities, and the transience of earthly life.