Allegory of the glory of Prince Eugene (Sketch for the destroyed Audience Hall’s ceiling painting, Upper Belvedere, Vienna)

"Allegory of the Glory of Prince Eugene" (partial sketch) by Giacomo del Pò (1652–1726) is part of a series intended to extol Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663–1736). The bozzetto matches the central and upper sections of the ceiling painting "Triumphal Reception of the Hero into Olympus", in the audience chamber of the Neapolitan enfilade in the Upper Belvedere, Vienna, which was destroyed by fire in 1950. Aurenhammer identifies the figures in this section of the ceiling painting with Jupiter (laurel wreath and eagle), Juno (gold chain), Gloria (crown, trumpet, statuette), Fama (trumpet) and Apollo (placing the crown of stars on the Prince's head). Prohaska points out the change of Eugene's tutelary god – in later years, Hercules was replaced by Apollo.
In this bozzetto, a male personification holds a wreath of blue and red flowers and a sceptre, symbolising royal power. Beside him is a lion, which suggests a ruler (Prince Eugene) and which is to be crowned – here with a floral wreath expressing perfection. The necklace worn by the female personification beside him echoes the petals held aloft by the putto on her left – possibly a reference to the fertility that provides the means for a glorious reign. Prince Eugene is not shown here, but his fame and his claim to power are expressed through Fama, ready with the crown and holding his statue, and through the two attendant putti with their trumpets. The importance of the laws is evident in the crown. A further personification holds high above her head a triangle or a pyramid, depending on interpretation. The triangle would represent Justice, accompanied by two putti wielding laurel wreaths. The pyramid symbolises a connection between heaven and earth, as well as ascent to heaven, union with the sun, and thus immortal glory.
Bathed in radiant golden light, Apollo, with his attribute of a laurel wreath, presents a rotunda – perhaps a temple of the Muses, of whom he is the leader, or to the glory of Helios. The overall concept of the summer residence serves to extol and glorify Eugene as a victorious war hero, bringer of peace and lover of the arts and sciences. The bright, airy colouration and the artist's easy brushwork are appropriate to the Prince's summer residence.

Translated catalogue text from:
Ducke Astrid: Macht | Propaganda | Krieg. In: Oehring Erika, Ducke Astrid, Habersatter Thomas (Hrsg.): Allegorie. Die Sprache der Bilder. Residenzgalerie Salzburg, Salzburg 2017, S. 129-151, Gicomo del Pò, Allegorie auf den Ruhm Prinz Eugens, S. 131-132, Abb. 3, S. 133
Translation: Gail Schamberger MA, Salzburg