Friday bottom #21

Everyone loves a jolly good party, especially gods and goddesses. This is Minerva have a right old romp with a bunch of pals. It's a design for part of the ceiling of the banqueting house at Hampton Court...at least it was in about 1700.

It is a tiny little panel (full version here) and depicts Minerva and other 'arty' types. It was painted by Antonio Verio who was responsible for lots of the ceilings of the British aristocracy of the time. This was commissioned by William III (the Orange one).