Parnassus c. 18th century

Editor: This is Giovanni Volpato's "Parnassus." It's quite detailed, almost like a photograph, even though it doesn't have a date. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: Oh, it whispers of a Renaissance dream! All those figures, draped and poised, gathered around Apollo. I imagine the air thick with the scent of laurels and the murmur of inspiration. It’s a very idealized vision of artistic community. Editor: Idealized how? Curator: It's more about showcasing the harmony of artistic pursuits than depicting the messy reality, don't you think? Like a perfectly staged tableau. Editor: That's true, I hadn't thought of it that way. It does seem a bit too... serene for real life.