The Mass of Bolsena, from the Stanza dell’Eliodor (detail) (1511 – 1514) by Raphael

The Mass of Bolsena, from the Stanza dell'Eliodor  (detail) - Raphael - 1511 - 1514

Artwork Information

TitleThe Mass of Bolsena, from the Stanza dell'Eliodor (detail)
ArtistRaphael
Date1511 - 1514
Mediumfresco
Art MovementHigh Renaissance
Current LocationVatican Museums, Vatican

About The Mass of Bolsena, from the Stanza dell'Eliodor (detail)

The artwork titled “The Mass of Bolsena,” crafted between 1511 and 1514, is a renowned fresco by the eminent High Renaissance artist Raphael. It forms a part of the “Stanza dell’Eliodor” series and is situated within the prestigious confines of the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. The genre of the artwork is history painting, which is a reflection of the artist’s endeavor to encapsulate significant historical narratives through his creative expressions.

The artwork showcases an elder man depicted in profile, engrossed in pious reflection or prayer. His right hand is clasped in a gesture that denotes reverence and contemplation, while his gaze appears to be directed upwards towards the divine or an unseen object of veneration. The intricate details of his attire, which include a resplendent vermilion cape and a white robe, are rendered with utmost precision, conveying his status and the solemnity of the moment captured in the fresco. The throne upon which he sits is ornately designed, featuring sculptures of lions at its base, underscoring the thematic and symbolic richness characteristic of Raphael’s work from this period. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that plays with light and shadow, adds depth to the scene and illustrates Raphael’s mastery of this High Renaissance artistic convention. The background of the artwork comprises architectural elements such as columns, which lends a sense of space and reinforces the grandeur of the setting. This detail from “The Mass of Bolsena” is but one element of a larger narrative tableau, capturing both the human and the divine intertwined in a moment of religious significance.

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