Ceiling of thePiccolomini Library Sienna Cathedral

The stunning Piccolomini Library houses illuminated choir books and frescoes painted by Bernardino di Betto, called 'Pinturicchio', based on designs by Raphael.

The frescoes tell the story of the life of Siena's favourite son, cardinal Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who became Pope Pius II. He was the uncle of cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini (then archbishop of Siena and the future pope Pius III).

He commissioned this library in 1492 as a repository of the books and the manuscript collection of his uncle. The ceiling is covered with painted panels of mythological subjects and was painted between 1502 and 1503 by Pinturicchio and his assistants.