Compositional Study for the Southeast Section of the Cupola of Florence Cathedral

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Artist: Giorgio Vasari (Italian, 1511–1574)
Medium: Pen and brown ink and brown wash over some traces of black chalk
Size: Unframed (Trapeziform): 41.3 × 21.7 cm (16 1/4 × 8 9/16 in.)
Culture: Italian
Museum: J. Paul Getty Museum
Rights: CC0 — no rights reserved

Giorgio Vasari created this study of scenes from the Last Judgment for one of his final projects-the fresco decoration for the interior of the cupola of Florence's renowned cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as Brunelleschi's dome. This drawing is for the southeast section of the cupola. The pictorial scheme is divided into eight segments in five concentric zones. Vasari arranged the scenes according to a Counter-Reformation formula: At the top, an Elder of the Apocalypse, angels, and helmeted holy figures appear bearing instruments of the Passion.

Below that are the Divine Tribune of Saints and an Archangel, flanked by Fortitude and Patience, who greets the saved rising from Purgatory. At the lower right, naked figures condemned for their sins are thrust into the jaws of a demonic beast. Vasari only partially finished the cupola fresco before his death in 1574. Federico Zuccaro completed the decoration, with some changes to Vasari's design.

Text: J. Paul Getty Trust, CC BY 4.0.