The splendid tapestry designed by Raphael Sanzio, the “Stoning of Saint Stephen”, is now exhibited with other art works in the Hall of Popes at the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo.

Titled La lapidazione di Raffaello – Un arazzo per la Cappella Sistina [The Stoning by Raphael – A Tapestry for the Sistine Chapel] the exhibit is made possible thanks to the generous contribution from the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, who also financed the restoration of many art works here present.

As part of Vatican City’s community outreach for pilgrims and visitors during the Jubilee Year, the exhibit offers the general public an opportunity to see first-hand select masterpieces from the Vatican Museums while visiting Castel Gandolfo outside Rome. Curated by Alessandra Rodolfo, head of the Tapestries and Textiles Department of the Vatican Museums, the exhibit’s inauguration was held on December 14, 2024.

The tapestry is of Flemish manufacture, woven in wool, silk and gold and silver threads. The tapestry itself belongs to the series of tapestries illustrating New Testament scenes from the Acts of the Apostles, commissioned in the early 16th century by Pope Leo X (born Giovanni di Lorenzo de’ Medici). Raphael created the preparatory cartoons for the series of tapestries that would decorate the lower walls of the Sistine Chapel during high religious ceremonies.