After the Sack of Rome in 1527 and the death of Leo X, artistic patronage in Rome slackened. Federico Gonzaga sent Baldassare Castiglione to procure Giulio to execute paintings and architectural and engineering projects for the duchy of Mantua. His masterpiece of architecture and fresco painting in that city is the suburban Palazzo Te, with its famous illusionistic frescos. Another product of this era is this painting of the birth of Bacchus, now at the Getty Museum.
WHILST our joys with wine we raise,
Youthful Bacchus we will praise.
Bacchus dancing did invent;
Bacchus is on songs intent;
Bacchus teacheth Love to court,
And his mother how to sport;
Graceful confidence he lends;
He oppressive trouble ends;
To the bowl when we repair,
Grief doth vanish into air;
Drink we then, and drown all sorrow;
All our cares not knows the morrow;
Life is dark, let’s dance and play,
They that will be troubled may;
We our joys with wine will raise,
Youthful Bacchus we will praise.
— translated by Thomas Stanley, 1651.
