Da Avignone a Cesena a Ravenna: immagini e politica

This paper examines the fragile historical and political context in which harsh conflict took place between Pope John XXII and Emperor Ludovico il Bavaro. The excommunication of the Emperor as “Mystical Antichrist” by the Pope having reper- cussions in Italy, can be tangibly reconstructed through images by studying the fres- cos of Pietro da Rimini in the church of Santa Maria in Porto Fuori in Ravenna, which were destroyed, but of which there remain great photos. In my opinion and through my reconstruction of these events, the Rector of Romagna, Aymery of Chatelus, chaplain and executor of the Pope’s will, introduced the iconography of the Antichrist during the time around when he was elected archbishop of Ravenna. My historic and iconographic exploration will also consider the remains of the fresco decorations of the two lateral chapels dedicated to Matthew and Sisto II. It is in this contentious context that for the first time I also propose the importance of the com- mission of Commentary to Vangels at the Apostolic Vatican Library (Urbinate Latino Codex 11), executed by two artists from Rimini, Pietro and Neri.