Cappella Paolina (Pauline Chapel), Rome

The Pauline Chapel, located within the Vatican Palace and positioned adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, is a remarkable chapel with its own distinct charm. Designed by Antonio de Sangallo the Younger in 1538 under the commission of Pope Paul II, it served as the Chapel of the Concave and the Chapel of the Sacrament.

When it came to selecting an artist to execute the chapel's frescoes, there was no doubt in the pope's mind. He had his heart set on Michelangelo, despite the artist being in his 60s, exhausted, and already occupied with completing Pope Julius II's tomb—a commission for which he had been paid. Despite his reservations, Michelangelo felt compelled to accept the pope's insistence. The two frescoes he painted, "The Crucifixion of St. Peter" and "The Conversion of Saul", were not considered his most exceptional works. Perhaps the pressure he faced during their creation is reflected in the final outcome. In "The Conversion of Saul", for example, Saul is depicted as an elderly man with white hair, conveying a sense of weariness—possibly a reflection of Michelangelo's own state at the time.

Additional paintings within the chapel were created by Lorenzo Sabbatini and Federico Zuccari, while Prospero Bresciano contributed to the statues and stuccowork.

In 2004, the Vatican announced plans to restore the frescoes in the Pauline Chapel, and by 2009, the restoration work was completed. The restoration revealed vibrant colors and hues that had been dimmed by centuries of accumulated dirt and grime. Furthermore, in 2010, the Vatican website unveiled a virtual reality rendering of the chapel, presenting a captivating blend of 3D rendering and high-resolution photography, showcasing its renewed brilliance following the restoration efforts in 2009.