Saint Peter baptizing the Centurion Cornelius

The present composition appears to be a modello for the cartoon, painted on canvas, measuring approximately 350 x 250 cm., in the Vatican Museum (see F. R. DiFederico, Francesco Trevisani, Washington, 1977, p. 66, no. 100, pl. 85). This cartoon, part of a whole series of painted cartoons, was commissioned from Trevisani in 1709 for the mosaic decorations of the Baptismal Chapel in Saint Peter. Another modello (71.5 x 49.5 cm.) for the cartoon Saint Sylvester baptizing Constantine (Vatican Museum) is in a private collection, Washington (see DiFederico, op. cit., p. 66, no. 105, pl. 89).

Trevisani worked for almost 35 years with several interruptions on the cartoons. The cartoons are believed to have been painted between 1713-23 and the modelli were painted some years earlier. Other modelli, in addition to the Washington painting, can be found in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Palazzo Corsini, Rome.