Tomb of Cardinal Pietro Manzi

Abstract

Located on the right side of the vestibule inside the side entrance of Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome is the Tomb of Cardinal Pietro Manzi, Bishop of Cesena, who died in 1504. The monument is attributed to the sculptor Andrea Sansovino (c. 1467–1529). The tomb features the resting figure of the bishop lying atop a coffin. Above, high-relief sculptures depict the Virgin and Child in the centre, flanked by personifications of Fortitude and Charity. The entire composition is set within a niche framed by two pilasters intricately decorated with grotesque candelabra motifs. The monument, carved from white marble, retains traces of gilding and paint, hinting at its original polychromy. In the early seventeenth century, the tomb underwent modifications to accommodate the burial of Sertorio Toefili (d. 1607) and his wife, Ortensia Cinquini, altering its original design. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.