SANTA MARIA DEL POPOLO

The Chigi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo was designed by Raphael for Agostino Chigi.

	Raphael creates an environment of extraordinary harmony, in which it's possible to feel the influence of Bramante, but at the same time the entirely original relationship light - space.
	Raphael also drew the cartoons for the mosaics of the dome.
	The tombs intended for Agostino and Sigismondo Chigi, on which Bernini around 1650 applied medallions, have an unusual pyramidal form, however, in the Piazza del Popolo, where today we see the twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli, once stood two Roman pyramids in dimensions similar to the Cestia pyramid .

It seems reasonable to conjecture that Raphael, whom Pope Leo X had given the task of “curator of ancient marbles”, was inspired just by the ruins of the two pyramids.

Work on the Chigi Chapel was begun in 1513 by Lorenzo Lotti named Lorenzetto, one of the aids of Raphael.

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