GIOVANNI DA UDINE
(b. 1487, Udine, d. 1564, Roma)

Decoration of Cardinal Bibbiena's Loggetta

1516-17
Fresco
Palazzi Pontifici, Vatican

The desire to revive not only the forms of ancient Roman architecture but also their decoration may help to explain the success of the grotesque paintings. In particular, Raphael and the specialists in his workshop, who mastered the genre completely, helped the grotesque style to spread quickly in Rome. In addition to the Vatican loggias, the Loggetta, Cardinal Bibbiena's Stufetta (bathroom) and the decoration of the garden loggia of the Villa Madama are particularly important.