This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Vatican Frescoes

Vatican Frescoes

AFTER RAPHAEL (1483-1520)

Alexander Preserving the Works of Homer

published 1830

Etching | 11.0 x 16.5 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 852521

An outline-etching reproducing the composition of a small grisaille fresco painted beneath the Parnassus in the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican. Lettered with title and location of the work. Lettered at upper centre above image: I. Published in Montagnani, Illustrazione storico-pittorica con incisioni a contorni delle pitture nelle stanze vaticane di Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, Rome 1830, plate 6.

In the Ashmolean Museum is kept a drawing of this subject attributed to Raphael (inv. no.WA1935.152), later engraved by Marcantonio Raimondi in c.1520. For a first state impression of Marcantonio's engraving and further discussion, see RCIN 852517.
  • Creator(s)

    After Raphael (1483-1520) (artist)

    Subject(s)

    Alexander the Great (356 BC-323 BC)
    Homer (active 850 BC?)
  • 11.0 x 16.5 cm (sheet of paper)

    14.3 cm (Width) (platemark)

  • Ritrovamento de' Libri Sibillini nel sepolcro / di Numa

  • Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)

  • Subject(s)
    • Language, Linguistics and Literature
      • Literature
        • Poetry
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Italy
          • Lazio [Italy]
            • Rome [Lazio]
              • Vatican City [Rome]
                • Vatican Palace [Vatican City]
                  • Stanza della Segnatura [Vatican Palace]
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • prints
  • Other number(s)

    Ruland p.189 C.II.5