Created during my study abroad in Siena, Italy this painting reimagines Ceres the Roman goddess of agriculture and fertility from the uninstalled "Fountain of Juno" by Bartolomeo Ammannati.
Inspired by the unfinished piece I decided to create a scene in which this fountain may be reimagined in a modern "Garden of Eden" while still staying true to the time period in which it was created. This can be seen through the various flowers and vegetation throughout the painting as well as hints of water behind the statue and renaissance sculptural and architectural influences.
In this piece I was inspired by the late gothic, and the renaissance period of art and architecture. Seen through the replication of the Ceres statue which has late renaissance elements and posing, as well as other famous paintings from this period like Ambrogio Lorenzetti's "Annunciation" which is referenced through the architecture behind the statue. It was often common for vegetation to be painted throughout this era in reference to the Garden of Eden to symbolize paradise. In architecture it was also very common to paint ceilings blue with stars in reference to the heavens and the God above, which is also depicted in the painting.
