Flying Angel Holding the Papal Keys and a Palm Branch

This work is a study for an angel in a fresco in the Sala Regia, the room that serves as the Pope's official audience chamber, at the Vatican. The angel holding the papal keys and palm branch, along with its counterpart holding a cross and papal tiara, surround the papal throne. Under Paul III (1534-49) Perino del Vaga began the decoration of the room, designing the stucco ceiling; Daniele da Volterra and Federico Zuccaro worked on frescoes for the walls. The decoration for the room was completed in 1573, the year of the present drawing.