DOMENICHINO
(b. 1581, Bologna, d. 1641, Napoli)

Cupola vault

1609-12
Fresco
Cappella dei Santi Fondatori, Abbazia di Santa Maria, Grottaferrata

The centre of the chancel is topped by a small oval cupola. The virtuoso decor of this cupola is not stucco work but pure painting. The four evangelists are depicted in the cupola pendentives, and above them in oval panels appear three early Christian female martyrs (Sts Agnes, Cecilia, and Francesca Romana). In the cupola's centre panel God the Father appears enthroned on clouds and flanked by angels.