Description
The room houses in the centre a model of the Castle of L’Aquila, created in the mid-18th century by the Duke of Noja, Giovanni Carafa. On the four walls, visitors are greeted by paintings of the patron saints of the city by Giulio Cesare Bedeschini.
The series of the four patron saints of L’Aquila was one of the artist’s most successful creations, so much so that numerous replicas and copies were executed. Depicted in half-length portraits and facing the viewer at a three-quarter angle, the saints display a model of the city shown from the side of the church where their bodies were buried.
Saint Bernardino of Siena is depicted wearing a Franciscan robe and points with his right hand to the monogram of Jesus’ name; Saint Peter Celestine, in pontifical attire and with the papal tiara, holds a book with the keys of Saint Peter; Saint Equitius, evangeliser of Amiternum and its territory, appears as an elderly ascetic dressed in a monastic habit and carrying a staff; Saint Maximus deacon of Aveia, wears a dalmatic and holds the palm of martyrdom in his left hand.
