Chigi Chapel

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Floor mosaique of Chigi Chapel
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Floor mosaique of Chigi Chapel
Study for the Phrygian Sibyl fresco by Raphael for Chigi Chapel.
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Study for the Phrygian Sibyl fresco by Raphael for Chigi Chapel.

The Chigi Chapel is one of five chapels located within the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo. The Chigi chapel was started by Raphael as a private chapel for the Sienese banker Agostino Chigi, then completed by Bernini after Raphael's death in 1520.

Raphael painted a fresco of four classical sibyls over the archway of the door to the chapel. The chapel contained the early panel of Raphael's The Marriage of the Virgin (now in the Brera, Milan).

The Chigi chapel, unlike other rooms within the church, is repleted with statues, bronze reliefs, paintings, marbles and mosaics.

The altar piece of the chapel was painted by Sebastiano del Piombo and the statues of Jonah and Elijah were carved by Lorenzetto.

The Baroque style of the chapel is witnessed in the niche which contains Bernini's statues of Habakkuk and the Angel, and Daniel.

The tomb of Maria Flaminia Odescalchi Chigi, designed by Posi, is also located within the Chigi Chapel.