A view of a wall in Cardinal Bibbiena's stufetta

A print by Michele Lucchese depicting grotesques on a wall in 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 in the lower register with attribution of the composition to Raphael and, at bottom, the engraver's monogram (Nagler. IV, no.1977). Unidentified collector's stamp at bottom right. Not in Ruland (1876).

This print is one of a set of three reproducing grotesque designs by Raphael. It was mistakenly catalogued by Ruland as depicting the grotesque paintings on the end wall of the Raphael Loggia, designed by Raphael and executed by his workshop (c.1517-19) in the Vatican. The repeating sequence of decoration in the Logge - see Dacos 2008 (Bibliographic References) for more information - is strongly influenced by the antique; Raphael had studied antique sculpture and painting in Rome.