The Chapel was built
on the plans of Antonio da SangalIo the Younger in the
spring of 1538. It was later decorated by Michelangelo
as soon as he had finished work on the Sistine Chapel.
The chapel which is stilI private, is decorated with
frescoes. On the left-hand walI is the Conversion of St.
Paul, a theme which certainly alIudes to the name of the
pontiff client (PaullIl Farnese), as the Crucifixion of
St. Peter on the opposite walI from 1546 to 1550,
recalls the morale weight of the apostolate.
Other works in the Vatican are also due to Michelangelo,
like the project of the Fortifications already started
by SangalIo and of the double Staircase in the Belvedere
Courtyard, modified at the beginning of the 18th century
through the elimination of the peperino balustrade.
