GHIRLANDAIO, Domenico
(b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze)

Meeting of Augustus and the Sibyl

1483-85
Fresco
Santa Trinita, Florence

Above the entry arch of the Sassetti Chapel, adorned by a large Sassetti coat of arms in polychrome glazed terracotta from the Della Robbia workshop flanked by two rock throwers and ringed by a wreath of fruit, we see the vision of Emperor Augustus at the Roman capitol. According to the Golden Legend, the Tiburtine Sibyl had prophesied the birth of Christ to Augustus. In this scene the Tiburtine Sibyl shows the Roman Emperor Augustus the shining gold vision of the name of Jesus abbreviated to "IHS". This prophecy to the pagan emperor is fulfilled in the altar painting of the chapel: the Birth of Christ. The figures are in a raised position with a view over classical Rome in which the Pantheon and Trajan's Column can be seen.