Other Frescoes
Other Frescoes
An inaccurate view of Cardinal Bibbiena's stufetta
c.1810-1825Etching | RCIN 853856
A print depicting an inaccurate interior view of the stufetta, or bathroom, in the apartments of Cardinal Bibbiena in the Vatican Palace, which was frescoed with mythological subjects by Raphael's workshop c.1516. Lettered with title below image. Annotated on the top right corner of the recto in pencil: 2. On watermarked paper.
In this view of the interior of the stufetta, the reproduced arrangement of the frescoes is incorrect. See Cordellier/Py 1992 (Bibliographic References) for a description of the disposition of the frescoes around the four walls of the room. The room is also wrongly referred to in the title as the 'retreat' of Pope Julius II, who died in February 1513; documentary evidence dates the beginning of the construction of Cardinal Bibbiena's Vatican apartment to the autumn of that year. The National Art Library holds a volume containing 13 unnumbered plates which comprise 12 outline etchings after frescoes by Raphael and a view of Cardinal Bibbiena's bathroom which has the same incorrect title; most of the prints are signed by Serafino Cesaretti, with two signed by Ferdinando Mori.
Cardinal Bibbiena had a close friendship with Raphael, patronising him on a number of occasions and, it would seem, facilitating the betrothal of the artist to his niece. In addition to the stufetta, Raphael's workshop also painted Cardinal Bibbiena's loggia. Both spaces were designed in a manner imitating ancient Roman painted decoration, and included depictions of episodes from Ovid, grotesques and ornamental motifs. The stufetta was rediscovered in the nineteenth century and survives in a much damaged form today; the loggetta was not rediscovered until the twentieth century.
In this view of the interior of the stufetta, the reproduced arrangement of the frescoes is incorrect. See Cordellier/Py 1992 (Bibliographic References) for a description of the disposition of the frescoes around the four walls of the room. The room is also wrongly referred to in the title as the 'retreat' of Pope Julius II, who died in February 1513; documentary evidence dates the beginning of the construction of Cardinal Bibbiena's Vatican apartment to the autumn of that year. The National Art Library holds a volume containing 13 unnumbered plates which comprise 12 outline etchings after frescoes by Raphael and a view of Cardinal Bibbiena's bathroom which has the same incorrect title; most of the prints are signed by Serafino Cesaretti, with two signed by Ferdinando Mori.
Cardinal Bibbiena had a close friendship with Raphael, patronising him on a number of occasions and, it would seem, facilitating the betrothal of the artist to his niece. In addition to the stufetta, Raphael's workshop also painted Cardinal Bibbiena's loggia. Both spaces were designed in a manner imitating ancient Roman painted decoration, and included depictions of episodes from Ovid, grotesques and ornamental motifs. The stufetta was rediscovered in the nineteenth century and survives in a much damaged form today; the loggetta was not rediscovered until the twentieth century.
Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)
