Restoration of Hercules Hall Unveiled at Palazzo Venezia in Rome

The Sala delle Fatiche di Ercole (Hall of the Labors of Hercules) at Palazzo Venezia in Rome has been restored, revealing a 15th-century fresco cycle. The restoration, funded by the Fondazione Silvano Toti and directed by Sonia Martone and Paolo Castellani, took about a year. The hall, originally used to store papal vestments under Pope Paul II Barbo, features a trompe-l'œil loggia with twelve arches depicting four fountains with putti and eight Labors of Hercules. The frescoes, dated around 1470, were likely commissioned by Cardinal Marco Barbo. The restoration ruled out Andrea Mantegna's authorship but confirmed a Northern Italian anonymous painter. Previous restorations occurred in the late 19th century, the 1920s under Federico Hermanin, and 1970. The project is part of a broader revitalization of Palazzo Venezia, led by Superintendent Edith Gabrielli, which included reopening the garden last year and plans for a new entrance on Piazza Venezia and a major Giorgione exhibition. The hall was open to the public during restoration, allowing visitors to view work from scaffolding.