Artwork

Study of frescos by Raphael on the ceiling of the Stanze della Segnatura in the Vatican Palace

Study of frescos by Raphael on the ceiling of the Stanze della Segnatura in the Vatican Palace is a drawing by Godfrey Sykes. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This 1850 study is a water‑colour and pencil rendering by Godfrey Sykes that reproduces the painted architectural decoration and ceiling frescoes of Raphael’s Stanze della Segnatura in the Vatican. The sheet records the composition and colour scheme of the original ceiling, focusing especially on the lower‑right panel that portrays the biblical Judgement of Solomon.

Subject & Meaning

The reproduced fresco illustrates the Judgement of Solomon, a narrative in which the wise king discerns the true mother of a child by proposing to split the infant between two claimants. The scene is framed within a decorative architectural setting, accompanied by surrounding motifs such as floral garlands and ornamental swirls that enhance the allegorical theme of wisdom and justice.

Technique & Style

Sykes employed a combination of transparent water‑colour washes and precise pencil shading to capture the chromatic nuances of Raphael’s original. Pencil notes on the sheet indicate specific colour choices, such as “gold or yellow,” while cross‑hatching conveys the modelling of forms and the depth of the architectural reliefs.

History & Provenance

Created in 1850, the study reflects the 19th‑century interest in documenting Renaissance masterpieces. It served as a reference for artists and scholars seeking to understand Raphael’s ceiling program before the advent of photographic reproduction. The drawing remains a testament to the period’s scholarly approach to copying and preserving historic art.

Context

The Stanze della Segnatura, painted between 1508 and 1511, form part of Pope Julius II’s private papal apartments. Raphael’s ceiling program integrates theological and philosophical themes, with the Judgement of Solomon representing the virtue of prudence among the four cardinal virtues depicted throughout the room.