View of the Piccolomini Library

The picture shows the view from the entrance at the window wall of the library with the Piccolomini coat of arms and the north wall with the first three pictures in the cycle on the life of Enea Silvio Piccolomini.

The ten compartments are separated by painted pilasters with grotteschi decoration, while each individual scene is framed by illusionistic jambs and arches decorated with simulated red and white marble paneling. Wee seem to be looking through the arches of a gigantic loggia into scenes from Enea Silvio’s life. The pageant-like incidents display a panoply of colourful costumes against fanciful architectural or landscape backgrounds, except when a recognizable setting was required by the narrative.