The Ulysses Room
Sala di Ulisse
During the time of the Medici this was the grand duke's bedroom. With the arrival of the Lorenese, around 1775, the room was assigned to Maria Teresa, the elder daughter of Pietro Leopoldo.
During the reign of Elisa Baciocchi early in the nineteenth century, this was one of the rooms intended to be part of the private apartment of the emperor, Napoleon.
After the Napoleonic interval, it became a part of the Palatine Gallery.
Upon his return from exile in 1815, Ferdinando III assigned Gasparo Martellini to paint the ceiling, using as his subject Ulysses' return to Ithaca. In corners of the frieze we find Fidelity, Strength, Hercules, and Apollo: the choice of these subjects alludes to the return of a proper sovereign.
During the reign of Elisa Baciocchi early in the nineteenth century, this was one of the rooms intended to be part of the private apartment of the emperor, Napoleon.
After the Napoleonic interval, it became a part of the Palatine Gallery.
Upon his return from exile in 1815, Ferdinando III assigned Gasparo Martellini to paint the ceiling, using as his subject Ulysses' return to Ithaca. In corners of the frieze we find Fidelity, Strength, Hercules, and Apollo: the choice of these subjects alludes to the return of a proper sovereign.