The Palazzo della Rovere owes its name to Cardinal Domenico della Rovere.
Located just a stone's throw from St. Peter's Square, the palace was built as the cardinal's private residence in the second half of the 15th century. As one of the most influential figures of the Roman Curia, he hired the best artists of the time to decorate his home, such as Pinturicchio, who painted the ceiling of the so-called “Hall of the Demigods.”
ANDREINA MERHEB
Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
It is a real treasure. It was where the cardinal came to reflect, to read, to study, and this ceiling, in a way, was made to inspire him and help him in his decisions.
In the center of the ceiling is the Rovere coat of arms with two pheasants, which appears again in the four corners of the room, with a pheasant and an oak tree, the symbol of the family.
Fantastical animals mingle with mythological gods as medieval tradition blends with Renaissance style, demonstrating Pinturicchio's skill in composing this ceiling.
ANDREINA MERHEB
Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
In 1483 he finished working with 'Perugino' in the Sistine Chapel. He stayed in Rome where he took other commissions, including this one, for the Palazzo della Rovere. And here, together with his helpers, he painted frescoes in the various rooms of the palace. In particular, he focused on this marvelous ceiling, using a technique similar to one used for illuminated manuscripts, making the paintings on paper and painting them with tempera. After that they were glued on supports and these supports were set on the ceiling.
As a whole, it is a fascinating collection of late medieval stories, symbolic images, and allegories in the form of a false mosaic.
ANDREINA MERHEB
Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
The mosaic background that you see in the tiles is not actually real mosaic. It has been painted. They are not mosaic stones, however the effect is amazing and unique. As far as I know, there are no other ceilings in any other historic mansions made in this way.
The extraordinary wooden coffered ceiling is made up of 63 octagonal panels and each one, as Andreina Merheb explains, tells a story.
ANDREINA MERHEB
Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
For example we see the cherub who has his legs over two horses, one gray and one white, the two horses representing good and evil. While holds the reins of both horses, he holds up the reins of the white horse. It is an invitation towards good rather than evil.
Palazzo della Rovere is also known as the Palace of the Penitentiaries because it was the seat of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the oldest court of the Roman Curia, at the end of the 17th century.
Over the centuries, part of the palace became a school and even a hotel. Today, the palace is the property and headquarters of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, which together with the Vatican Museums Restoration Laboratory, carried out the restoration of the rooms and recovered the precious images.
RG
TRANS: OG
