On the east wall, the papal coat of arms of Gregory XIII Boncompagni dominates the scene. It features a dragon surmounted by the triregnum and crossed keys, flanked by two female figures—allegories of Vigilance and Guardianship—which introduce the large fresco below, celebrating the pope’s conferment of the title of Commendatore upon Teseo Aldrovandi. The symbol of the title is a black cloth adorned with a white double cross. On the left side, two figures appear carrying seals, alongside a figure in armor with a plumed helmet, likely representing the city of Rome. In the lower right corner, legend has it that the two artists of the painting, the Zucchi brothers, depicted themselves from behind, dressed as guards. They also left subtle traces of their presence hidden among the garlands decorating the corners of the hall, where, amidst dense foliage, one can spot zucche (pumpkins)—a playful reference to their surname—alongside other exotic fruits from the New World, which were highly prized at the time.
