Vatican Frescoes
AFTER RAPHAEL (1483-1520)
Saints Peter and Paul appearing to Attila and his Huns, with Leo I the Great approaching in the far distance
c.1600-1700Engraving | 34.6 x 59.7 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 852726
An anonymous print reproducing (in reverse) a drawing now in the Musée du Louvre, Paris (inv. no.3873), generally dated to the XVII century. Ruland (1876) confused this print with the engraving by Angelica Renieri, mentioned by Passavant (II, 1860).
The drawing 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 It has been suggested that the drawing may record an earlier idea by Raphael for the fresco, later superseded.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 also 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.
The drawing 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 It has been suggested that the drawing may record an earlier idea by Raphael for the fresco, later superseded.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 also 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)
After Raphael (1483-1520) (artist)
Subject(s)
Pope Leo I (c. 400-61)Attila (c. 406-453)HunsSaint PeterSaint Paul34.6 x 59.7 cm (sheet of paper)
- Added to the Prince Consort's Raphael Collection (c.1853-76)
Object type(s)
- visual works
- prints
- visual works
Bibliographic reference(s)
Raphael Invenit 1985 : G. Bernini Pezzini et al., Raphael Invenit. Stampe di Raffaello nelle Collezioni dell'Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica, Rome, 1985 pp.48-9, no.III.1 (entry by Simonetta Prosperi Valenti Rodinó)
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.238
Other number(s)
Ruland p.202 D.9
