The Lives of Saints Peter and Paul

Orazio Alfani e Leonardo Cungi
fresco
1547-1548

Documents in the archives confirm that Orazio Alfani was paid between 1547 and 1548 “for the paintings in the choir” depicting Storie dei Santi Pietro e Paolo (The Lives of Saints Peter and Paul). Alfani was probably helped by Leonardo “dal Borgo”, Leonardo Cungi from Sansepolcro, who is named in a payment dated 1556. The monastic choir of the basilica, originally in the center of the church, was disassembled towards the end of the 16th century during the reconstruction work carried out under Valentino Martelli. This is also when Alfani’s frescoes were moved to the opposing façade.

The cycle of frescoes shows the strong and unique influence exerted by post-Raphaelesque painting. This same influence can be seen throughout the Roccca Paolina where, starting in 1543, and under the probable guidance of Giorgio Vasari, the following artists were active: Raffaellino del Colle, Lattanzio Pagani, Dono Dono and Cristofano Gherardi, known as “il Doceno”. La guarigione dello storpio (St. Peter cures a lame man) exemplifies, in the manner in which the scene is set, references to the stencil conceived by Raphael for the Sistine Chapel tapestries. Alfani’s choice of very pure colors, and the remarkable care dedicated to the figures, would appear to be inspired by the style seen in Raphael’s later years.