Allegory of May – Triumph of Appolo. Frescos in Palazzo Schifanoia (detail) 1470

Francesco del Cossa painted this detail of the Allegory of May on the walls of the Palazzo Schifanoia in the 15th century. At the time, the Italian Renaissance was flowering under the patronage of powerful families like the Este of Ferrara, who commissioned this work. This section of the fresco is striking for its multitude of infant figures, representing the constellations Gemini and Taurus, which preside over the month of May. Cossa’s work reflects a society deeply influenced by astrological beliefs, where the stars were thought to dictate human destiny. The sheer number of figures creates a dense, almost overwhelming image. Consider how this visual strategy might evoke the perceived power of the cosmos over individual lives. While seemingly traditional in its allegorical approach, Cossa's fresco offers a window into the complex interplay between humanist thought, classical mythology, and the deeply personal beliefs of the Renaissance.