TheAgeOfFable #2 Giovanni Caselli

Here we observe a complex genealogical chart depicting a vast pantheon of deities. The composition is structured as a sprawling family tree, with figures arranged in rows and connected by lines indicating parentage. Each figure is rendered in profile, exhibiting stylized features characteristic of classical iconography. A consistent color palette of ochre, terracotta, and muted blues dominates the work, lending it an aged, almost archaeological feel.
The arrangement immediately suggests a hierarchical system; Jupiter, centrally positioned, appears to be the foundational figure from which many lineages descend. The visual weight given to certain figures – the prominence of Jupiter, Venus, and Apollo – implies their significance within this mythological framework. The inclusion of both Roman (Mars, Minerva) and Greek (Zeus, Hera) names alongside each portrait highlights a deliberate attempt at synthesizing two distinct cultural traditions into a unified narrative.
Subtleties in the depiction hint at underlying themes. The presence of figures like Cupid, positioned near the base of the tree, suggests the pervasive influence of love and desire throughout this divine lineage. The inclusion of monstrous entities – Gorgons, Sirens – at the lower reaches of the chart introduces a sense of primordial chaos and danger that underlies even the most elevated aspects of divinity. The placement of Oceanus and River Gods along the right edge reinforces their association with the elemental forces of nature, essential components of the mythological world.
The decorative border, featuring stylized floral motifs, frames the composition and adds to its overall impression of antiquity and reverence. The chart’s design isnt merely illustrative; it functions as a symbolic representation of order imposed upon a complex and often contradictory mythology, attempting to map out relationships within a system that is inherently fluid and fantastical.