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

PAOLO FIDANZA (B. 1731)

Set of two heads from ''The Liberation of St Peter'

c.1757-85

Etchings | RCIN 852736

A set of two prints reproducing the heads of two figures depicted in Raphael's fresco of The Mass at Bolsena, painted in the Stanza di Eliodoro in the Vatican with the collaboration of his workshop artists. Both prints are lettered along the bottom margin and numbered at top right. Probably from Tetes choisies de personnages illustres... published by Paolo Fidanza in Rome in 1785.

Paolo Fidanza became famous for publishing six volumes of prints of heads after Raphael between 1757 and 1763.
  • Creator(s)

    Paolo Fidanza (b. 1731) (printmaker)

    After Raphael (1483-1520) (artist)

    Subject(s)

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

  • Subject(s)
    • Religion & Theology
      • Religions and faiths
        • Christianity
          • Angels, demons, devils, saints
            • Angels
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • prints
  • Other number(s)

    Ruland p.203 E.4-5