This content was automatically translated. View the original text.
The Church of St Stephen the First Martyr in Pietraforte: a Vanni painting in the Sabina of the Santacroce
In the hamlet of Pietraforte, in Pozzaglia Sabina, the Church of Santo Stefano Protomartire appears in official records for the first time in 1252, in an inventory of the diocese of Rieti. Its present appearance, however, is the result of work carried out in the 17th century. In one corner of the church the year 1645 is carved, marking the date of works commissioned by the Marchesi Santacroce, feudal lords of the village for almost the entire century. The interior has a single nave with a coffered ceiling and three altars framed by false columns with Baroque entablatures.
A Painting of the School of Pietro da Cortona
On the central altar hangs a canvas by Raffaello Vanni — a Sienese painter, son of Francesco Vanni and follower of Pietro da Cortona — depicting St Helena Finding the True Cross. Vanni served as president of the Accademia di San Luca from 1658 to 1660, and brought the Roman Baroque style to his native Siena. This canvas is one of the few works by him outside Tuscany. On the two side altars, Our Lady of the Rosary with Saints and the Martyrdom of St Stephen are on display.
Decorations Concealing Others
The entablatures bear grotesque masks with floral motifs and small cherubs. But curiously, the 19th-century wall decorations — false metopes and interlace patterns — cover older paintings in some places. If restoration work is performed, there will be a few surprises.
