Gonzaga Cycle: Federico II Gonzaga Takes Parma

Once the first four canvases had been delivered, Duke Guglielmo wanted more. In October 1579 his court wrote to its resident in Venice ordering four further paintings, and sent drawings of the rooms they would hang in and portraits of past Gonzaga rulers for the painter to copy. Tintoretto turned them out in a very short time, which points to a busy workshop, his son Domenico among the hands. This scene marks the first high point of Federico II's career as commander of the papal army, the recapture of Parma from the French in 1521. He directs the assault from the right edge while his men are already climbing the walls on ladders made from tree trunks. Notice the scale. Huge figures press close in front, tiny ones swarm behind, and the jump between them throws your eye deep into the picture.