Frescoes

Domenico Bruschi
1899

In the 19th century the council of the Mercanzia (Merchants Guild) decided to emulate the artistic patronage of their predecessors by commissioning new artworks. The Sala dell’Udienza was completely refurbished and the 15th century bench from the Collegio dei Notai (Guild of the Notaries) installed in 1865. The Perugian painter Domenico Bruschi (1840 – 1910) was entrusted with the task of decorating the, as yet unornamented, secondary sala dell'Archivio (Archive room). 

He painted a series of frescoes of figures in classical dress paying tribute to the opulence of Mercanzia personified. Two male figures are presenting their merchandise her, cherubs and young people support garlands of fruit and two female figures in the lunette represent la Giustizia e il Consiglio (Justice and Council). There are two inscriptions , “MEUM EST CONSILIUM ET AEQUITAS” and “QUIS CUSTODIT OS SUUM CUSTODIT ANIMAM SUAM” exhorting citizens to adopt a wise and discreet comportment. The completion date is recorded with the inscription 1899.

While the allegorical feminine figures are portrayed in a style reminiscent of Michelangelo, Mercanzia, personified as wealthy and powerful, is depicted in the style of Veronese with Gods bestowing gifts on Venezia and Venezia receiving  tributes from her followers. A Baroque painter decorated the lunette and the underside of the arch at the end of the room (dated 1640). An inscription reading “CON QUESTA FASCIA TERMINA LA PITTURA DELL’ANTICO MAESTRO” marks the point where the Collegio and painter desired the separation be shown between the pre-existing decoration and his own contributions.