The Stanza dell’Incendio and the Ideological Agenda of Pope Leo X (original) (raw)

This analysis examines the Stanza dell'Incendio commissioned by Pope Leo X, situating its artistic features within the broader ideological agenda of Leo's papacy. It argues that while Raphael's role in the Stanza is often overshadowed, the frescoes serve to assert Leo's authority, differentiate his rule from that of Julius II, and promote a political agenda that intertwines piety with secular power. The paper highlights the interplay between art and the religious-political narratives shaped by the Leonine Curia.