Camera di San Paolo

The work shows influence from the contemporary Romean Renaissance painting style, in particular the Raphael Rooms in the Vatican Palace, and perhaps Mantegna's Belvedere Chapel, now lost, although no visit to Rome by Correggio is documented.

[2] The decoration, completed in 1520, began a period for Correggio as one of the most celebrated painters in Italy, with works such as the domes in Parma Cathedral and San Giovanni Evangelista.

At the centre of the vault is the coat of arms of abbess Giovanni, formed by three crescent moons in gilded stucco, around which is a series of knotted pink belts.

The lower zone contains a series of ram heads (perhaps a reference to the Aries zodiac sign, the first in Spring) connected by painted drapery, which in turn support objects such as plates, vases and others.

[7] The architrave of the fireplace has the Latin inscription "IGNEM GLADIO NE FODIAS", meaning "Do not disturb the flame with sword": an assertion of the abbess' independence from the ecclesiastical authorities who were disputing her tenure of the convent.