Frescoes in the Castle of Fontanellato (1523-24)

A small room (the Camerino) in the castle of Fontanellato (Rocca Sanvitale) contains a fascinating fresco decoration by Parmigianino. It depicts the famous story told by Ovid of the hunter Actaeon, who happened innocently to catch sight of Diana bathing, was transformed into a stag by the enraged goddess, and eventually killed by his own dogs.

The Camerino has a vaulted ceiling with fourteen lunettes. The painter could not or did not wish to include the lower parts of the wall for the narrative painting.