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| Francesco Bartolozzi after Carlo Cignani Fauns and children 1765 (after 17th-century drawing) etching, engraving British Museum |
FAUNUS – a god of the forests, was especially connected with the mysterious sounds heard in them, hence his titles (or identification with) Fatuus and Fatuclus, both meaning 'the speaker'. His dwelling-place, wild forests, made him a protector of transhumant flocks. His first temple, dedicated on the Tiber island in 193 BC, was built with money from a fine imposed on the pecuarii ('drovers'); anniversary on 13 February. From this time on he was identified with Pan, to the point that his original traits can no longer be separated from those of the Greek god. 'Wild', agrestis, he is endowed in ritual and myth with a lubricity earning him the surname Inuus and recalling the adventures of Pan and his power to excite irrepressible desire. Like him, Faunus also pursues women in their dreams. Finally, his opposition to civilized society allowed him to be claimed as one of the mythical kings of early Latium, son of Picus or Mars, or one of the gods of Arcadian Evander. He had female counterparts, Fauna (of whom we know practically nothing) and Fatua. He was on occasion oracular.
– from The Oxford Classical Dictionary, 3rd edition
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| Carlo Cignani Infant Hercules strangling the Serpents 17th century drawing British Museum |
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| Carlo Cignani Self-portrait 17th century drawing British Museum |
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| Carlo Cignani Venus with Cupid's Bow 17th century drrawing British Museum |
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| Bartolomeo Guidobono The Assumption of the Virgin with Angels 17th century drawing British Museum |
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| Sigismondo Caula Concert with ten musicians around a table 17th century drawing British Museum |
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| Sigismondo Caula The Pope, riding a Mule, accompanied by two Cardinals 17the century drawing British Museum |
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| Sigismondo Caula The Expulsion of Adam and Eve 17the century drawing British Museum |
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| Sigismondo Caula Two bearded figures 17th century drawing Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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| Domenico Piola Rest on the flight into Egypt 17th century wash drawing British Museum |
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| Domenico Piola Three Philosophers 17th century drawing British Museum |
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| Domenico Piola St Peter delivered by angel 17th century drawing British Museum |
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| Domenico Piola Banishment of Hagar and Ishmael 17th century drawing British Museum |
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| Domenico Piola Bathsheba and attendants 17th century drawing Private collection |