Decoration of the Loggetta

Raphael decorated Bibbiena’s loggetta in the style of newly-discovered ancient Roman ornamental forms - the walls and ceilings are adorned with grotesques, open areas and geometric ornaments. The artist has depicted mythological scenes in the lunettes, as well as allegories of the four seasons in the recesses. Raphael himself was probably responsible for the overall design and for some of the figure studies. That said, the final decorative work would have been undertaken by his studio associates, Francesco Penni, Giulio Romano and Giovanni da Udine.