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Pendant to the Cappella Sistina in the right transept of Santa Maria Maggiore, built by Domenico Fontana, the Cappella Paolina is on the opposite side of the church. It was founded by Pope Paul V three months after his election in 1605. Its structure was substantially complete by 1611, and the altar was finished two years later. The architect was Flaminio Ponzio, and the scheme that he adopted derived directly from the earlier chapel.
In the Cappella Paolina the lateral walls are again filled with tombs, on the right that of Clement VIII and on the left that of Paul V. Architecturally Ponzio's tombs are faithful reproductions of Fontana's, but the decoration is much richer, the reliefs are carved in greater depth, and are designed with stronger visual emphasis.
The seated figure of Pope Clement VIII by Silla Longhi is in the centre of the tomb, surrounded by reliefs.
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