Third State Room
Terza Sala dell'Udienza
This room, the last to be painted, was frescoed by Mitelli and Colonna in 1641. The date can be seen in a cartouche under the first window. The frescoes celebrate the Medici dynasty with the family's coat of arms, surmounted by the grand ducal crown dominating the four corners. At the center of each wall are portraits of the first four grand dukes, the ancestors of Ferdinando II de' Medici. Beneath the portraits are monochrome scenes illustrating the virtues and accomplishments of each grand duke. The frescoes contain only a few references to court life.
The fresco in the center of the ceiling depicts Ferdinando II receiving the crown and scepter of power from Jupiter as he descends from Olympus on the wings of an eagle. A putto carries a scroll with an inscription exalting the happiness of the people of Tuscany under their grand duke.
The fresco in the center of the ceiling depicts Ferdinando II receiving the crown and scepter of power from Jupiter as he descends from Olympus on the wings of an eagle. A putto carries a scroll with an inscription exalting the happiness of the people of Tuscany under their grand duke.