Mary Magdalen Raised by Angels

Shortly after the completion of the ceiling in the Galleria of the Palazzo Farnese, Annibale and his pupils, who included Domenichino and Giovanni Lanfranco, were asked to provide decorations for a palazzetto behind Palazzo Farnese, across the Via Giulia. The decoration consisted of mainly landscapes. In keeping with the character of the building, a casino in a garden, they represented mythological episodes. A few years later, Cardinal Odoardo Farnese decided to add a small room (Camerino degli Eremiti) to the Palazzetto Farnese as a Christian retreat where he could withdraw for his devotion. Giovanni Lanfranco was responsible for its entire decoration which consisted of four large frescoes, and nine ceiling panels, only two of which survived, Mary Magdalen Raised by Angels and Christ Served by Angels.