Creation of the World

Creation of the World is a mosaic in the dome of the Chigi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome, designed by Raphael. The Chigi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo was designed by Raphael for his friend and patron, banker Agostino Chigi as a private chapel and family burial place. The dome of the church was decorated with mosaics, a somewhat unusual and old-fashioned technique in the 16th century. Raphael's cartoons were executed by a Venetian craftsman, Luigi di Pace in 1516. The mosaic panels are situated between the golden stuccoes of the dome. Seven images show the personifications of the know six planets and a zodiac in front of the blue background. Every planet is held by winged angels. The eights panel represents the star studded...