After Raphael, Cardinal and Theological Virtues, oil on canvas, 19th century

Description: After Raphael, Cardinal and Theological Virtues, oil on canvas, 19th century. 19 x 24 (sight); 24 ¾ x 29 ¾ (framed). Relined with canvas, retaining old stretcher. In a modern gilt wood and moulded frame. Excellent condition, minor craquelure in places, minor rubbing to extremities of frame. The present painting reproduces the fresco Raphael executed on the south wall of the stanza della Segnatura in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, under commission from Pope Julius II. The same room houses the School of Athens on the East wall, as well as the Disputation of the Sacrament (north), and Parnassus (south). The four frescos together represented four branches of human knowledge: Philosophy, Theology, Poetry, and Law, with the last represented by the present painting. The three women in the top of the frame represent three of the four cardinal virtues: Fortitude, Prudence, and Temperance (Justice was represented separately on the ceiling of the stanza). The bottom left scene shows the Late Roman / Byzantine emperor Justinian receiving the Pandects, while the right shows Pope Gregory IX receiving the Decretals of Cannon Law (the two together forming the basis of secular and ecclesiastical law for centuries to follow). The original fresco is bisected by a window, which separates the figural groups of Justinian on the left and Gregory on the right. The present copy deftly compensates for this by bringing the two groups together, compressing the scene horizontally and lengthening it vertically. The Raphael Rooms in the Apostolic Palace were part of the broader renewal project undertaken by Julius II, who also commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel, and began the demolition of the old Vatican Basilica, to be replaced with the structure that stands today. Julius also founded the Vatican Museum (in part through the sensational discovery and acquisition of the Laocoon group). While many of these were public and monumental undertakings, the Raphael rooms were part of Julius’ private apartment, and the stanza della Segnatura, where both the School of Athens and the Cardinal and Theological Virtues are housed, was Julius’ private library and study. A truly magnificent seat of repose. High-quality old after Raphaels of any subject other than the Madonna and Child are very rare, particularly in such exquisite condition as the present copy, in which the resplendent colour palate of Raphael at his apogee shines forth unsullied by the ravages of time.

Price: 2925 USD

Location: New York, New York

End Time: 2025-01-05T20:51:23.000Z

Shipping Cost: 25 USD