The Nativity Scene Chapel
With frescoes by Baldassarre Croce depicting scenes related to the Nativity
View of the Cappella del PresepeQuirinale Palace
The Nativity Chapel, which can be accessed from the Courtyard of Honour, is a square-plan space covered by a hemispherical dome and decorated with frescoes by Baldassarre Croce.
The themes chosen for the decorations are closely linked to the Nativity.
The seventeenth-century chapel was strategic for the papal life of the Palace and functional for the meetings of the Congregations.
In the Savoy era it was destined for another use. Between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, an entrance door onto the Courtyard of Honor was opened on the altar wall.
The altar wall itself hosted the fresco the Adoration of the Shepherds, also created by Baldassarre Croce.
The work returned to the Quirinale in 2022 after more than a century.
Adorazione dei Pastori (1611/1612) by Baldassarre CroceQuirinale Palace
At the centre of the composition of the rediscovered fresco is Mary, captured in the loving gesture of delicately covering her Son Jesus with a semi-transparent white veil.
Saint Joseph on the left of the scene contemplates the Child.
On the right, the shepherds who flocked to the prodigious event prostrate themselves in adoration of the newborn, in an atmosphere of deep contemplation.
Adorazione dei Pastori (1611/1612) by Baldassare CroceQuirinale Palace
After being removed from its original context, the painting began a period of oblivion: it first passed to the State Property and then was entrusted to the National Galleries of Ancient Art.
The Adoration of the Shepherds was erroneously attributed to Pomarancio.
Only recently have accurate research made it possible to recover the identity of its true author and his house of origin.
The return to the Quirinale was achieved thanks to the collaboration of the National Galleries of Ancient Art, which l 'they gave it on loan.
The other frescoes occupy the two side walls and the vault of the Chapel.
Adorazione dei Magi (1611/1612) by Baldassarre CroceQuirinale Palace
On the wall to the right of the entrance to the Courtyard of Honor we find the Adoration of the Magi.
The protagonists of the narrative are in the foreground.
The characters assume relaxed poses which, while keeping the sense of movement by directing their attention to the figure of Baby Jesus.
Strage degli Innocenti (1611/1612) by Baldassarre CroceQuirinale Palace
On the left the Massacre of the Innocents is depicted with figures fleeing from the tragedy wanted by Herod, according to the evangelical narrative.
The broad movements of the figures dictate the rhythm of the narrative, sometimes to the detriment of anatomical proportions.
Gloria d'Angeli (1611/1612) by Baldassarre CroceQuirinale Palace
The vault bears the representation of a Glory of Angels according to a circular pattern.
The Four Evangelists are depicted in the plumes.
Matthew,
Mark,
Luca,
and John.
