Cappella di San Severo (Chapel of San Severo), Perugia
The Chapel of San Severo, located in Perugia, is a fascinating part of the Camaldolese convent complex adjacent to the Church of San Severo. Today, it functions as a small museum showcasing a remarkable fresco titled The Trinity and Saints (175x389 cm), a collaborative masterpiece by Raphael and Perugino, with work spanning from 1505鈥�1508 (Raphael) to 1521 (Perugino).
Originally part of the left nave of a fifteenth-century church, the chapel now comprises a single room adjacent to the eighteenth-century structure. It is integrated into Perugia鈥檚 museum system and is managed by the Regional Directorate for Cultural and Landscape Heritage of Umbria.
The fresco, set in a pointed chapel niche, is divided into two parts. The upper section, by Raphael, portrays the Trinity with Benedictine and Camaldolese saints identified by golden inscriptions. Christ sits on a cloud throne, flanked by angels, with the Holy Spirit as a dove above. This work marks Raphael's shift to a monumental style, influenced by the Umbrian school and Fra Bartolomeo, hinting at his later masterpieces like the Disputation of the Sacrament. The lower section, finished by Perugino after Raphael died in 1520, depicts saints like Scholastica, Jerome, and John the Evangelist. While framed by a parapet, these figures lack the depth of Raphael鈥檚 style, reflecting Perugino鈥檚 older, fifteenth-century approach.
The fresco was commissioned by Troilo Baglioni, a former bishop of Perugia, and Cardinal Gabriele de' Gabrielli di Gubbio, bishop of Urbino. While the date of 1505 appears on the fresco, some scholars suggest it marks the start of the work, completed later as Raphael鈥檚 style evolved toward greater monumentality. Raphael only completed the upper part before relocating to Rome, leaving Perugino to finish the lower section in a nostalgic yet somewhat static style.
The fresco has endured over the centuries, though parts of it, including the Eternal, Saint John, and an angel, have been lost, possibly due to imperfect restorations. The work鈥檚 grandeur was praised by Vasari, who highlighted Raphael鈥檚 prominent signature.
A central niche within the chapel also houses a Madonna and Child in polychrome terracotta, a fine example of late fifteenth-century Tuscan craftsmanship, adding further charm to this compact yet historically and artistically rich space.
Originally part of the left nave of a fifteenth-century church, the chapel now comprises a single room adjacent to the eighteenth-century structure. It is integrated into Perugia鈥檚 museum system and is managed by the Regional Directorate for Cultural and Landscape Heritage of Umbria.
The fresco, set in a pointed chapel niche, is divided into two parts. The upper section, by Raphael, portrays the Trinity with Benedictine and Camaldolese saints identified by golden inscriptions. Christ sits on a cloud throne, flanked by angels, with the Holy Spirit as a dove above. This work marks Raphael's shift to a monumental style, influenced by the Umbrian school and Fra Bartolomeo, hinting at his later masterpieces like the Disputation of the Sacrament. The lower section, finished by Perugino after Raphael died in 1520, depicts saints like Scholastica, Jerome, and John the Evangelist. While framed by a parapet, these figures lack the depth of Raphael鈥檚 style, reflecting Perugino鈥檚 older, fifteenth-century approach.
The fresco was commissioned by Troilo Baglioni, a former bishop of Perugia, and Cardinal Gabriele de' Gabrielli di Gubbio, bishop of Urbino. While the date of 1505 appears on the fresco, some scholars suggest it marks the start of the work, completed later as Raphael鈥檚 style evolved toward greater monumentality. Raphael only completed the upper part before relocating to Rome, leaving Perugino to finish the lower section in a nostalgic yet somewhat static style.
The fresco has endured over the centuries, though parts of it, including the Eternal, Saint John, and an angel, have been lost, possibly due to imperfect restorations. The work鈥檚 grandeur was praised by Vasari, who highlighted Raphael鈥檚 prominent signature.
A central niche within the chapel also houses a Madonna and Child in polychrome terracotta, a fine example of late fifteenth-century Tuscan craftsmanship, adding further charm to this compact yet historically and artistically rich space.
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Cappella di San Severo (Chapel of San Severo) on Map
Sight Name: Cappella di San Severo (Chapel of San Severo)
Sight Location: Perugia, Italy (See walking tours in Perugia)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Perugia, Italy (See walking tours in Perugia)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Perugia, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Perugia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Perugia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Perugia Introduction Walking Tour
Perugia was one of the twelve foremost cities of the Etruscan Federation. It was mentioned by Quintus Fabius Pictor, a Roman historian. He tells of a military expedition of Fabius Maximus Rullianus against the Etruscan League and Perugia in 309 BC.
By 216 BC, Perugia had seen the light and allied itself with Rome in the Second Punic War against Carthage. Things went swimmingly until 41 BC.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
By 216 BC, Perugia had seen the light and allied itself with Rome in the Second Punic War against Carthage. Things went swimmingly until 41 BC.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Perugino and Renaissance Art Walk
Perugia today is a well-known cultural and artistic center in Italy that regularly plays host to a multitude of annual festivals and events. The most glorious period in the history of the city, from an artistic standpoint, lasted from the 13th to the 16th centuries.
Perugia鈥檚 most celebrated artist, Pietro Vannucci (1450鈥�1523), better known as 鈥渋l Perugino鈥�, nicknamed so after his... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Perugia鈥檚 most celebrated artist, Pietro Vannucci (1450鈥�1523), better known as 鈥渋l Perugino鈥�, nicknamed so after his... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles