The Landscape room

Several decorative elements date back to a first phase of work, i.e. the four pictures towards the end of the walls that are separated and gilt-framed.
The vine-coloured monochrome fanlights were fitted at a later date whereas the canvases with sea monsters entwined around a trident and the monochrome ceiling would appear to be true 19th century, similar to contemporary decorations still to be seen in many buildings in Ferrara.
The grey/green colour is probably due to the colour of the canvas that was hung during restoration work in the late 1800's.
The scenes resemble the work of Giuseppe Zola (1672-1743), or are at least in his style, and are housed within an apparently domed frame that balances the concavity of the upper part and is finished in fake gilded wood. Acanthus leaves interrupt the engravings on the frame that is flanked by equally elegant candelabra in fake stucco.
The scenes are characterised by a series of very fine detailed work in the forefront that expand in depth and great attention is paid to perspective. This theatrical use of space is not new to an artist like Zola who was a great innovator of the school of Ferrarese landscape painting.
The overall interpretation of the decorative work in the rooms is not a simple matter. It could revolve around the contrast between the peacefulness of terra firma and the danger represented by the sea that can so easily cause shipwrecks in storms. This interpretation is supported somewhat by two still visible allegorical figures (there were four originally) that are present in the monochrome fanlights but that were added later and their source is unknown.
The god of the sea, Poseidon, armed with a trident, is diagonally opposite the figure of a woman who is clasping sheaves of grain in her right hand. Beside her is a mill representing work in the countryside and recognisable as the interpretation of the Earth, Abundance and Prosperity.
It is somewhat difficult to establish a relationship of meaning between the landscapes and the different elements such as the exotic animals and the suits of armour or the weapons that are featured in the fanlights.