The Raphael Loggias in The New Hermitage building of the State Hermitage Museum.
The Raphael Loggias in the Hermitage are a copy of the famous Gallery created in the 16th century in the Vatican Palace by the architect Donato Bramante. Its walls and vaults were painted by Raphael's pupils after his sketches and under his supervision. The Hermitage gallery was created at Catherine II's wish. Originally it was a separate construction (architect Giacomo Quarenghi), but in the mid-19th century it was included into the New Hermitage designed as a museum building by the architect Leo von Klenze. The Raphael Loggias make up an integral ensemble displaying a harmony of architecture, painting and sculpture. The gallery consists of thirteen identical sections, each having its own vault. The arches of the vaults together with the mighty supporting columns create a regular and precise rhythm. The decoration of the gallery embodies a typical Renaissance tendency to reveal connection between Classical Antiquity and Christianity. The vaults are decorated with scenes from the Bible, each one showing four subjects. This cycle of 52 compositions, with 48 themes from the Old Testament and four themes from the New Testament, was called the Raphael's Bible. Events of the Old Testament are presented successively: Adam and Eve, the Deluge and the acts of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses) and kings (David and Solomon). Amongst the New Testament subjects are the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Baptism of Christ and the Last Supper completing the cycle. The wall areas below the mirrors are decorated with 10 Biblical scenes in a grisaille technique. Under the impression of the decorative Classical ornamentation Raphael produced compositions combining unusual images with motifs taken from real life. This type of design was called grotesque.
Size: 3413px × 5119px
Location: Dvortsovaya Naberezhnaya, St. Petersburg, Russia
Photo credit: © Bill Heinsohn / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: arches, architecture, art, bible, building, canvas, ceiling, christianity, collection, colorful, columns, design, frescoes, grisaille, grotesque, hallway, mirrors, ornamentation, painting, relief, room, russia, scenes, sculpture, successively, technique, tempera, vault
