Submission of Frederick Barbarossa before Pope Alexander III during the signing of the Treaty of Venice 1563

Francesco de' Rossi, known as Salviati, painted this fresco, Submission of Frederick Barbarossa, on a wall in the Vatican’s Palazzo Apostolico in the 16th century. Creating a fresco is no easy task. Pigments ground in water are applied to freshly laid lime plaster. The artist must work quickly while the plaster is still wet, so the pigment bonds and becomes a permanent part of the wall. Salviati's masterful handling of the fresco technique is evident in the painting's vibrant colors and intricate details. Notice how the artist has captured the texture of the fabrics, the gleam of the armor, and the expressions on the faces of the figures. The scale of this fresco is a testament to the ambition of the High Renaissance. The work is inextricably tied to the social context in which it was created. It depicts a specific historical event, but it also reflects the power and grandeur of the Catholic Church during this period. Frescoes like this were not just decoration; they were powerful tools for conveying messages and shaping public opinion. They continue to offer insights into the world that created them.