The Battle of Ostia 1514

"The Battle of Ostia" is a fresco by the High Renaissance artist Raphael, painted in 1514. It depicts the Battle of Ostia, a naval engagement between the Roman fleet and the fleet of the Byzantine Empire in 849. Pope Leo IV is shown seated on a throne observing the battle, which is depicted with a dramatic and dynamic composition, featuring soldiers, ships, and a chaotic scene of combat. This fresco is a prime example of Raphael's mastery of composition, perspective, and the human form, and is a defining piece of the High Renaissance.