The Introduction of the Cult of Cybele at Rome

Andrea Mantegna's Introduction of the Cult of Cybele at Rome, painted around 1505-1506 and now in the National Gallery, London, was created for Francesco Cornaro and is one of Mantegna's last works. The monumental grisaille simulates a classical marble relief, depicting the arrival of the sacred black stone of the goddess Cybele in Rome in 204 BC. The work demonstrates Mantegna's lifelong devotion to the archaeological recreation of antiquity at the very end of his career.

Mantegna's extraordinary grisaille technique simulates classical stone relief with remarkable illusionistic effect, using monochrome tones and precise classical detail to create a painted sculpture of archaeological accuracy.