The Calumny of Apelles
1560
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1560
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
The painting shows a judge with large ears, surrounded by figures like Suspicion and Ignorance. The judge is about to listen to Calumny, who is dragging a young man into court. This scene is based on a story from ancient Greece, and it was popular among Renaissance artists. The story is complex, with many characters and symbols, and to learn more about this style, look up the technique of sfumato.
