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The frescoes in the Vatican Palace commissioned by Popes Julius II and Leo X

Anne Claude Philippe, Comte de Caylus (1692-1765)

Saints Peter and Paul appearing to Attila and his Huns, with Leo I the Great approaching in the far distance c.1712-55

Etching | 40.1 x 62.6 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 852725

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A reversed outline-etching after a drawing now in the Musée du Louvre, Paris (inv. no.3873). Lettered with artists' name along the lower margin. Engraved in collaboration with Charles Coypel. Stamped with two blind stamps of the Chalcographie du Louvre, Musées Imperiaux (variant of Lugt 1695). Published in Cabinet du Roy, a set of etchings reproducing drawings from the French royal collection, executed by Caylus. Cordellier/Py (1992) mentioned this print as published in 'Recueil Caylus', f.9v and f.10.

The drawing reproduced in this print is closely related to Raphael’s fresco of 'The Meeting between Leo the Great and Attila', from which it only differs in the left-hand group and other minor details. It has been suggested that the drawing may record an earlier idea by Raphael for the fresco, later superseded. Whether this is the original design by Raphael or a copy after it (perhaps by Giulio Romano or Penni, as sometimes suggested) is an ongoing matter of debate. However, the rectangular format of the drawing and the use of parchment have raised questions as to it being a working modello for a lunette-shaped fresco. A photograph of the drawing can be found at RCIN 852724. For further discussion, see Bibliographic References.
  • Creator(s)

    Anne Claude Philippe, Comte de Caylus (1692-1765) (etcher)

    After Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520) (artist)

    Subject(s)
    Pope Leo I (c. 400-61)
    Attila (c. 406-453)
    Saint Peter
    Saint Paul
  • 40.1 x 62.6 cm (sheet of paper)

    37.3 x 60.5 cm (platemark)

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

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • prints
    Subject(s)
    • Natural Sciences & Mathematics
      • Biological sciences
        • Anthropology, Nationality & People
          • Huns
  • Other number(s)

    Ruland p.202 D.8

    Bibliographic reference(s)

    Catalogue of the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum. v. P. Pouncey and J.A.Gere, Raphael and His Circle (1962); p.58, under no.71

    Joannides 1983 : Joannides, P., 1983. The Drawings of Raphael, with a complete catalogue, Oxford p.218, no.341

    Cordellier/Py 1992 : Raphael : son atelier, ses copistes, 1992 / par Dominique Cordellier et Bernadette Py, Paris (Inventaire general des dessins Italiens ; V / sous la direction de Francoise Viatte) p.241, under no.329