​Priceless masterpieces of the Vatican. Stanzas of Raphael. Rafael Santi

Raphael's Stanzes (from the Italian word for room, Stanze di Raffaello) are four rooms that became part of the Vatican Museum complex. These are small rectangular rooms, each with an area of ​​about 50 square meters. Their walls were painted with huge frescoes by the Renaissance master Raphael Santi and his students. The paintings fit perfectly into the architectural space of the interior, however, each is a separate finished work. Epic paintings are distinguished by internal harmony, compositional clarity, richness of images, deep design, brightness of colors, attention to detail, and symbolism.

Stylistics and subjects of frescoes

The storylines reproduce the entire epic of Italy. A tourist, looking at the frescoes, seems to be present at a grandiose performance, where one image is replaced by another. Even without knowing the history of Ancient Rome, without being familiar with biblical stories, the viewer is shocked and fascinated by the spiritual and physical beauty of the characters depicted, their greatness, nobility, and wisdom.

This work revealed Raphael's artistic gift as a monumentalist. This is the first work of the master in this technique. Never before had he encountered such global pictures. However, he brilliantly coped with the task, managing to gather many individual personalities into harmonious compositional ranks. Turns of the head, gestures, figures, lighting solutions smoothly and naturally unfold into luxurious panoramas.

Raphael's first fresco, “The School of Athens,” is a worthy example of monumental painting. The Vatican has many attractions, but for more than 500 years, Raphael's Stanzas have made an irresistible impression. The frescoes are located in four rooms: Stanza della Segnatura, Stanza d'Eliodoro, Stanza del Incherdio di Borgo, Stanza Constantine. The modern excursion route begins with the last one, to the design of which the master no longer had time to apply a brush. Our description will go in chronological order as masterpieces are created.

The first room in the Papal Palace, which 25-year-old Raphael began decorating, served as the Pontiff's office. The name literally translates as “signature”. The walls of the room were painted over a period of 3 years (1509–1511). The subjects of the frescoes are subordinated to a single theme - the spiritual deeds of man. They embody the ideals of Renaissance humanism, emphasizing the spiritual and physical perfection of the free individual, the high calling and creative potential of the noble individual.

The frescoes cover 4 spheres of life: philosophy (“School of Athens”), theology (“Disputation”), poetry (“Parnassus”) and virtue (“Virtues and Law”).

Raphael created complex spatial compositions in which groups of philosophers, theologians, poets and sages are placed among architectural settings or picturesque landscapes. The heroes are depicted as wise, self-confident people with high dignity and strong will. The ceiling is decorated with an allegorical figure of Justice, traditionally depicted with scales and a sword.

Stanza d'Eliodoro

The second room in the personal chambers of the Pontiff was reserved for private meetings of Julius II with prominent figures of our time: politicians, diplomats, cardinals. The theme of the frescoes corresponds to the setting, emphasizing the power of the Roman Church, to which all earthly powers are subordinate, and the divine conduct that protects it. The plots reflect real and fictional stories from the life of the Papacy. Raphael and his students painted the room from 1511 to 1514. The master personally decorated 4 walls. Arches, caryatids and a ceiling decorated with the Papal coat of arms are other luminaries based on Raphael’s sketches.

The fresco “The Expulsion of Eliodorus” gave the name to the entire room. It depicts a plot from the Old Testament. Having desired to steal gold intended for children and widows, the Syrian leader Eliodor suffered Heavenly punishment. A beautiful Angel in golden armor expels him from the temple in Jerusalem. The left corner of the composition is occupied by Pope Julius II. It is believed that the painting has an allegorical overtone regarding the shameful expulsion of the French from the Papal States.

The "Mass of Bolsena" depicts a divine celebration that took place in 1263 during the liturgy. In honor of the miracle, the Feast of Corpus Christi was established. Julius II and his guards are also present in the picture.

The triptych “The Account of Peter” tells about the amazing release of the apostle from prison.

“The Meeting of Saint Leo I the Great with Attila” shows the special care of God over Rome. In the center of the composition, Leo I (depicted Leo X), seated on a white horse, meets the King of the Huns, Attila (on a black horse). The Pontiff, with the help of Saints Peter and Paul, blocks the path of the conquerors. The background of the fresco is filled with the main architectural monuments of Rome: the Aqueduct, the Basilica and Obelisk, the Colosseum.

Stanza "Fire in Borgo"

The last room, which was decorated by Raphael from 1514 to 1517. The subjects of the frescoes are related to historical events from the lives of Pope Leo III and Pope Leo IV. Although allegorically they glorify the Lord and the reigning Pontiff Leo X.

The hall is named after the best fresco of the same name, the plot of which tells how Leo IV stopped the fire that engulfed one of the districts of Rome in 847 with the sign of the cross. The composition is distinguished by the dynamism, color and plasticity of the characters depicted.

The opposite wall is occupied by the “Battle of Ostia”. The plot shows a naval battle at the mouth of the Tiber between the Romans and Saracens. Sitting on a marble block, Leo IV (depicted Leo X) looks at the sky with gratitude for the victory granted from above.

"The Coronation of Charlemagne" adorns the next wall. The historical fact took place in 800. The characters are given the features of their contemporaries: Leo III bears a striking resemblance to Leo X, and Charles is indistinguishable from the French king Francis I.

The fourth fresco is “The Justification of Leo III”. The plot tells about the events of the year 800: The Pontiff swears his purity and sinlessness. Faith and truth triumph.

The ceiling paintings were designed by Perugino. Rafael left his teacher's work unchanged.

Stanza of Constantine

The last room was decorated by Raphael's students (Giulio Romano and Gian Francesco) after the artist's death. In their work they used their teacher's sketches. This is the most spacious room in the Pontiff's chambers. All special events took place here: audiences, banquets, weddings of the Pope’s relatives. The hall is dedicated to the Roman Emperor Constantine; the frescoes glorify the struggle of Christians with pagans and the obvious victory of good over evil.

The inspection begins from the southern wall, on which the “Vision of the Cross” is depicted. The fresco tells how, on the eve of the decisive battle with Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge, Emperor Constantine had a vision of a sparkling cross with the inscription in Greek “With this sign you will win.”

The second picture (on the western side) shows the course of the battle itself, the victory of which brought Constantine absolute power over the empire.

The third image (on the north side) shows the baptism of the emperor. The sacrament is performed by Pontiff Sylvester (314-335 AD), although the painting depicts Clement VII, who reigned at the time the fresco was painted.

The story ends with the fresco “The Gift of Constantine” - a symbolic charter granted by Sylvester. Legend has it that it was this document that granted the Roman Pontiffs absolute power over the Western Roman Empire.

The ceiling is decorated with the painting “The Triumph of the Christian Religion over Paganism” (1565), painted by Tommaso Lauretti.

Where can you see the frescoes?

• Raphael's Stanzas are in the Vatican Museum at Roma, Viale Vaticano;
• Opening hours and hours: the museum complex is open all days of the week, except Sunday, from 8:45 to 16:45, on Saturday there is a short working day - until 13:45;
• You can get there with a single ticket, which allows you to visit all exhibitions of the museum complex. The issue price is 16 EUR, for students and pensioners half the cost of a full ticket, i.e. 8 EUR. If you order in advance online, the cost will be 4 EUR more expensive: 20 EUR and 12 EUR, respectively;
• Before going, you should check the information on the museum’s website.

How to get there on your own?

• from both airports (Fiumicino, Ciampino) get to Termini metro station;
• From the central train station (Termini metro station, line A) go towards the Battisnini terminus. Exit at Ottaviano San Pietro or Cipro. The distance from both stations will be about 10 minutes. walking;
• You can also use ground transportation; bus No. 49 stops directly in front of the museum entrance. Buses No. 982, 81, 32 reach Piazza Risorgimento, and you can also get here by tram No. 19. From there to the museum is a 5-minute walk.

• When visiting the museum complex, it is worth remembering that the Vatican requires a certain respect from guests and, as a result, a dress code. You will not be allowed inside in open clothes, shorts or T-shirts;
• When visiting the museum, it is best to book a tour with a licensed guide.

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The life and work of Raphael Santi is closely connected with Rome; it is here that most of his works are located.

Paintings by Raphael in the Vatican Pinacoteca - “Madonna of Foligno” and “Transfiguration”

Rafael Santi - biography

Raphael Santi lived a relatively short life (1483 - 1520), he was born in Urbino in the Papal States and studied under Pietro Perugino. Raphael's early works are similar to the creations of his teacher. In 1504 - 1508, Raphael worked in Florence, and Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci also worked there during these years.

It is believed that under the influence of Leonardo, softness and ideal composition appeared in Raphael’s paintings, and from Michelangelo he took strong dynamics. However, Raphael's characters, just like Leonardo's, are self-absorbed.

Painting by Raphael Santi in Rome

Raphael returned to the theme of the Madonna and Child many times. Raphael's beautiful and feminine Madonnas are the pride of almost all major museums.

We began our acquaintance with Raphael Santi in Rome at the Vatican Pinacoteca, where several of his paintings are located at the very entrance.

In addition to paintings, Raphael painted frescoes; they can also be seen at the Villa Farnesina, as well as in the Vatican. They are also called “Raphael’s Stanzas” and Raphael’s loggias I. Tourists, as a rule, walk in a crowd past the halls painted by Raphael, straight to the Sistine Chapel, although at this point it would be worth slowing down and looking around.

Raphael also acted as an architect: during the construction of Villa Madama. After Bramante's death, he took over the position of chief architect of St. Peter's Basilica. In Rome, he also built the Chigi Chapel of the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo (1512-1520).

Loggias of Raphael

In the 80s of the 15th century, the ruins of the Golden House of Nero were discovered in Rome, in which fragments of ancient frescoes were preserved.

The frescoes made a great impression on the artists of the 15th century; they enthusiastically began to study the style in which they were made. Since the Golden House had already turned into caves, it began to be called a grotto, and the style of wall painting “grotesque”. It was in this style that Raphael decided to paint the loggias of the Belvedere courtyard.

The loggias were painted by Raphael's students and followers according to his design. In the 18th century, exact copies of Raphael's loggias in the Vatican were made in the royal Winter Palace (Hermitage).

Stanzas of Raphael

Raphael's Stanzas are the rooms in the papal palace painted by him and his students. Stanza del Incendio di Borgo ( Stanza dell'Incendio di Borgo) is dedicated to episodes related to the activities of Popes Leo III and Leo IV, which made it possible to glorify Leo X, who was then on the papal throne.

The fresco "Fire in Borgo" depicts the fire of 847. Then Pope Leo IV miraculously stopped him, making the sign of the cross over the crowd fleeing the fire.

The Battle of Ostia was a naval battle that took place in 849 between Muslim and Christian forces, ending in Christian victory. The Christian fleet was blessed by Pope Leo IV before the battle.

Stanza della Segnatura was the papal office. The frescoes in this room represent four areas of human activity: “ Athens school" - philosophy, " Dispute" - theology, " Parnassus" - poetry, and " Wisdom, moderation and strength"- justice.

Raphael's fresco "The School of Athens" depicts, among others, Leonardo da Vinci as Plato (in the center in a red cloak), Michelangelo as Heraclitus (sitting in deep thought), Bramante as Euclid (with a compass in his hands) and, finally, Raphael himself in the image of Appeles.

Stanza d'Eliodoro ( Stanza d'Eliodoro) Raphael painted it in 1511-1514. The theme of her paintings is the miraculous patronage provided by God to the church.

On the fresco " Exile of Eliodorus“It tells how a heavenly horseman expels the Syrian military leader Eliodorus from the Jerusalem Temple, which he wanted to plunder. This fresco alludes to the expulsion of the French from the Papal States.

(Stanze di Raffaello) - four frescoed halls in the (Papal) Palace, which is located. Raphael Santi (Raffaello Santi) worked on their painting on the orders of Pope Julius II for about 12 years, from the age of 25 until his death. Then his students continued the work.

Each room has frescoes with its own theme, completely covering all four walls and the ceiling. Despite the fact that there were already paintings in the halls, they were ordered to be knocked down in order to provide this space for Raphael.

During the tours, these rooms go in the following order: di Costantino, d'Eliodoro, della Segnatura, del Incendio di Borgo. It is noteworthy that the Stanza of Constantine was painted by students after the death of the great painter.

Raphael began work with the Stanza della Segnatura, also called the “Rooms of Signatures”. The most famous of all stations is located here - the “School of Athens”. It depicts famous thinkers of antiquity: Aristotle, Plato (with the face of Leonardo da Vinci), Socrates, Diogenes, Pythagoras with his disciples, Heraclitus (with the face of Michelangelo), Euclid (with the face of Bramante), Ptolemy, Zoroaster. Raphael also depicted himself - in the form of a student talking with Zoroaster. In total, the fresco depicts more than fifty characters in stunning detail.

The stanzas for the most part reflect biblical motifs that are traditional for the Vatican as a whole as a stronghold of world Catholicism: the appearance of God, the victory of Christianity over paganism, the trial of Isaac, the liberation of the Apostle Peter by the holy angel and many others. Such acts as the victory of Leo IV over the Saracens, the coronation of Charlemagne, the founding of the Feast of Holy Communion - and this is not a complete list of subjects that are present in the stanzas - were reflected in painting.

Raphael's Stanzas are located in the Apostolic (Papal) Palace, which is located in the center of the Vatican.

Photo attraction: Stanzas of Raphael

• Location: Papal Palace
• Opening: 1508
• Cost of visit: adult - 16 euros, students, schoolchildren, pensioners - 8 euros
• Working hours: 8.45 - 16.45 (Saturday until 13.45), Sunday - closed

On the territory of modern Italy, inside the city of Rome there is a dwarf enclave state. The history surprises and inspires, and the small size of the city accommodates so many cultural, historical, architectural monuments that it is simply breathtaking. Let's talk about one of them.

“Stanza” translated from Italian means room. Stanzas of Raphael - four rooms in, the design of which at different times was carried out by Raphael Santi, his mentor Perugino and their followers.

The walls and ceilings are painted with frescoes, the beauty of which surprises and delights visitors to the palace. Each drawing is distinguished by its harmonious execution, realistic plot, detail, and deep meaning. There is a legend according to which Pope Julius II, seeing the work of Raphael, was delighted and ordered the destruction of the completed work of other artists. From now on, the young author was responsible for painting the papal chambers.

The greatest popularity belongs to the first stanza, which was designed by Rafael Santi, it is called Stanza della Segnatura. The work of painting the room lasted three years (from 1508 to 1511), despite his rather young age, Santi managed to create a unique work of art. All the frescoes of the first stanza are thematically unified and touch on the important theme of human activity in spiritual improvement and self-knowledge.

It is noteworthy that the name Stanza della Segnatura literally means “to sign, put signs, seals.” It was this room that served as the office in which the Pope signed documents. This fact became decisive when the issue of renaming the chambers was considered.

The best work of this stanza, and indeed of all of Raphael’s work, according to historians and art critics, is the fresco “The School of Athens”. It captured the debate between the ancient Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato, discussing the world of human ideas and the spiritual world. This fresco also depicts other famous philosophers, and even Raphael himself. The heroes of antiquity are similar in appearance to the heroes of the Middle Ages - this indicates a close relationship between the philosophy of Antiquity and medieval theology.

Raphael devoted the next three years to painting the room, which became known as the Stanza d'Eliodoro. The frescoes in this room are united by the theme of God's protection, which protects the Church.

The main fresco of the chamber is considered to be a painting depicting the Syrian military commander Eliodorus, who was expelled from the temple in Jerusalem by a horseman. The name of the main character served as the name of the stanza. In the room there are 2 more frescoes dedicated to events that could not have happened without the help of divine power. The painting “The Deliverance of the Apostle Peter from Prison” depicts a biblical story, according to which an angel helped free the apostle imprisoned in prison. The remaining fresco, "Mass at Bolsena", tells the story of a miracle that happened in 1263. During the service, the unbelieving clergyman picked up a hostia, a flatbread that is used during the sacrament of communion, and in his hands it began to bleed.

The third stanza is the last one that Master Raphael himself worked on. It is called Incendio di Borgo, in honor of the fresco of the same name that decorates one of the walls of the room. The theme of Incendio di Borgo is associated with the fire that engulfed the Borgo quarter, located in close proximity to the Papal Palace of the Vatican. Tradition says that Pope Leo IV was able to stop the fire and save the believers by the power of the miraculous cross he placed.

In general, the third stanza tells about the life and deeds of Pope Julius II and Pope Leo X. The work of painting Incendio di Borgo lasted from 1514 to 1517. In 1520, Raphael died, and some of his most talented students began completing the work.

The last of the four chambers of the papal palace is the Stanza of Constantine. It was made according to Raphael’s sketches, but not by himself, but by his students. The room's frescoes tell of the struggle in the Roman Empire between the emperor and the pagans. The composition of the stanza consists of several subject paintings, the first of which is the fresco “Vision of the Cross”. According to legend, Emperor Constantine, preparing for the decisive battle against Maxentius, saw a shining cross in the heavens with an inscription reading “By this victory.”

The composition continues with a painting depicting the Battle of the Milvian Bridge and the rite of baptism according to Christian laws, which the Bishop completed with the signature “The Gift of Constantine.” Tradition says that it was then that the emperor granted the popes a charter and at the same time unlimited power in the western part of the Great Roman Empire.

Since Raphael’s stanzas are included in the composition, to look at them you need to visit the museum complex. Entry is permitted with a single entrance ticket, the cost of which for adults will be 16 euros, for schoolchildren, students and pensioners exactly half the price. The price of a ticket purchased online will be 4 euros more expensive.

The Vatican Museum is open to the public every day except Sunday. From Monday to Friday the museum is open from 8:45 to 16:45, on Saturday from 8:45 to 13:45. It is important to know that visiting the museum in excessively revealing or beachwear is prohibited.

Getting here is quite simple, and there are several ways available.

1. If you go by metro, you need to choose any of the trains on line A and go to the Cipro-Musei Vaticani or Ottaviano-S stop. Pietro. Next walk about 10 minutes.
2. You can also take buses no. 32, 81, 982 to Piazza Risorgimento. Then, as in the first case, you will have to walk a little. Alternatively, you can take tram number 19, which will not only take you to the museum, but also take you through the entire city.

Stanzas of Raphael

Stanze di Raffaello - rooms (stanza - room) in the Papal Palace of the Vatican. They already existed under Pope Nicholas V (1447-1455). Pope Julius II chose them for his apartments, not wanting to live where the shadow of the hated Borgias still hovered, that is, in the apartments of Alexander VI. On the advice of Bramante, Julius II commissioned the very young Raphael to paint the stanzas (the artist was only twenty-five years old). Raphael's Stanzas are four relatively small rooms (approximately 9 by 6 m), painted in 1508-1517 by Raphael together with his students, and a hall, the paintings of which were carried out by students according to the painter's sketches after his death. The fourth room, the Hall of Constantine, was painted by Raphael's students and is therefore less known. Each of the walls is entirely occupied by a fresco composition, so there are four of them in each of the stanzas. The paintings amaze with their depth of design, richness of imagery, compositional clarity and orderliness, and overall harmony.

Stanza del Incendio di Borgo

Stanza del Incendio di Borgo (Stanza dell "Incendio di Borgo) is the last of the stanzas painted by Raphael (1514-1517). The themes of the paintings are taken from the history of the papacy, namely, episodes associated with Leo III and Leo IV, which allowed to glorify Leo X, who was then on the papal throne. The best fresco of this stanza, after which it is named, is “Fire in Borgo.”
According to legend, when a fire broke out in Borgo (the area adjacent to the papal palace) in 847, Pope Leo IV miraculously stopped it by making the sign of the cross over the crowd fleeing the fire. In the depths you can see part of the Cathedral of St. Peter's, and with the old facade that still existed during Raphael's work on the painting of the stanzas.

Estancia del Incendio del Borgo (Vista general I)

Estancia del Incendio del Borgo (Vista general II)

“Fire in Borgo” Stanza dell "Incendio di Borgo

"Fire in Borgo" (fragment)

"Fire in Borgo" (fragment)

"Fire in Borgo" (fragment)

Coronation of Charlemagne

Coronation of Charlemagne (fragment)

The Oath or Justification of Leo III

Oath, or justification of Leo III (frament)

Battle of Ostia

Battle of Ostia (fragment)

Stanza della Segnatura

Stanza della Segnatura was the papal office, and papal decrees were signed here. This is the first of the stanzas painted by Raphael (1508-1511). The theme of the painting is human spiritual activity. The frescoes represent its four areas: "The School of Athens" - philosophy, "Disputa" - theology, "Parnassus" - poetry, and "Wisdom, Temperance and Strength" - justice.

Stanza della Segnatura 1

Stanza della Segnatura 2

"School of Athens" - philosophy

School of Athens (Escuela de Atenas)

The best of all the frescoes in the stanzas is unanimously recognized"School of Athens" - one of the greatest creations of Renaissance art in general and Raphael in particular. In the center of the composition are the figures of Aristotle and Plato. Plato (in a red cloak and with the features of Leonardo da Vinci) raises his hand to the sky - as a sign that the world of ideas is found in the upper reaches; Aristotle (in a blue cloak) points his hand down - as a sign that the world of ideas is connected with earthly experience. Other great philosophers are also represented on the fresco: Socrates (to the left of Plato), Diogenes (lying on the steps of the stairs), and in the foreground below - Pythagoras surrounded by students (left), Heraclitus, sitting in deep thought almost in the center (with facial features Michelangelo), Euclid, bent over, with a compass in his hands (with the facial features of Bramante), Ptolemy and Zoroaster (on the right), with whom two young men are talking (one of them with the facial features of Raphael himself, the other - the painter of Sodoma, who began working in this station). According to the master’s plan, imbued with the ideas of Christian Neoplatonism, such similarities were supposed to symbolize the influence and deep kinship of ancient philosophy and new theology. Raphael's signature (RSVM) is at the collar of his robe.

Diogenes (Diogenes) School of Athens (fragment)

Heraclitus of Ephesus (Michelangelo)
School of Athens (fragment)

Plato (Leonardo da Vinci) School of Athens (fragment)

Pythagoras (Pitagora) School of Athens (fragment)

Plato (Leonardo da Vinci) and Aristotle
(School of Athens (fragment)

"Disputa" - theology

Fresco "Disputation" - this is not so much a conversation about the sacrament of communion as the glorification and triumph of the church. Above, in heaven, God the Father is depicted, below him is Christ with the Mother of God and John the Baptist, below is a dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and the apostles sitting on the clouds. Below, on the ground, are the church fathers, popes, clergy, and believers, among whom you can see Dante, Savonarola and the artist monk Fra Beato Angelico. The fresco is distinguished by its amazing compositional unity and harmony.

"Disputation" - theology (Disputation of the Holy Sacrament)

Disputa (fragment)

Dispute (fragment) 2

"Parnassus" - poetry

"Parnassus". In the center is Apollo, around him are nine muses and poets, both ancient and Renaissance. On the left are blind Homer, Virgil, Dante, Petrarch, Anacreon, Sappho, on the right are Terence, Ariosto, Ovid, Horace.

"Parnassus"

Parnassus (Parnaso) Homer, Dante (fragment)

Parnassus (fragment)

Three cardinal virtues - The Cardinal Virtues

Trebonian presenting the Pandettas to Justinian

Gregory IX approving the Decretals

Ceiling (vault) paintings

Ceiling (vault) Estancia del Sello (Boveda)

Fresco on the ceiling (Adam and Eve)

Philosophy

Justice (Justice)

Eliodoro's Room (Stanza di Eliodoro)

Raphael painted the Stanza d'Eliodoro in 1511-1514. The theme of her paintings is the miraculous patronage provided by God to the church.

Stanza di Eliodoro I

Stanza di Eliodoro) II

Exile of Eliodorus

Fresco "The Expulsion of Eliodorus", from which the stanza got its name, tells how a heavenly horseman expels the Syrian military leader Eliodorus from the Jerusalem Temple, which he wanted to plunder. It is believed that this plot contains an allusion to the expulsion of the French from the Papal States. On the left is Pope Julius II seated. The character of this strong and powerful man is perfectly conveyed.

The Exile of Eliodorus (fragment)

Mass in Bolsena (Massatbolsena) 1512

IN "Mass in Bolsena"depicts a miracle that occurred in 1263, when during a service the host in the hands of an unbelieving priest became stained with blood. A kneeling Pope Julius II is present at this event, and on the right is a group of Swiss Guards from the papal guard, dressed in bright suits.

Liberation of Saint Peter

The fresco was painted with great skill"Liberation of Peter", telling about the miraculous release of the Apostle Peter from prison. This contains a hint of an episode from the life of Pope Leo X. While still a cardinal, he was captured by the French at the Battle of Ravenna in 1512, but managed to escape. The composition is divided into three parts. In the center is depicted behind bars, in prison, the sleeping Apostle Peter, over whom an angel is bending. On the right side, an angel leads Peter out of prison while the guards are sleeping; on the left, the awakened guards, having discovered Peter’s disappearance, raise the alarm. Raphael uses night lighting with great skill in this fresco, creating a dramatic mood and deep expressiveness.

Liberation of Peter (fragment)

Meeting of Saint Leo the Great with Atilla

Meeting of Saint Leo the Great with Attila (fragment)