The congress of Mantua

A print by Giovanni Paolo Lasinio reproducing the fresco The congress of Mantua painted by Pinturicchio and his workshop (1502-07/08) in the Piccolomini Library in Siena Cathedral. Lettered with attribution of the design of the fresco to Raphael and its execution to Pinturicchio, as well as title and publication details. Dedicated to Giuseppe Col[l]ignon, Director of the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Siena. Annotated in ink on the verso. Published in Raccolta Delle Più Celebri Pitture Esistenti Nella Città Di Siena Disegnate Ed Incise Da Valenti Artisti Con Illustrazioni (c.1825-38).

The decoration of the Piccolomini library was commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Todeschino Piccolomini (later Pope Pius III) in 1502 from Raphael's older Perugian contemporary Pinturicchio. The frescoes illustrate events in the life of Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini), the Cardinal's uncle. Vasari credited Raphael with executing 'some drawings and some cartoons' for the library at the express request of Pinturicchio. Scholarly opinion has been divided over the attribution of preparatory drawings for the frescoes, but at least five drawings convincingly related to the decorative scheme are considered to be by Raphael (see Bibliographic References). For a photograph of the fresco this print reproduces, see RCIN 853781.