13. The chapel of the Langue of Auvernge
The chapel of the Langue of Auvernge is dedicated to St Sebastian and shares with the chapel of the Langue of Provence the distinction of having the oldest surviving altar-façade in St John’s. Its twisted columns for a time had become popular, after Bernini had designed the baldacchino of the Vatican basilica in 1624. The altarpiece depicts the martyrdom of St Sebastian. Inside the two lateral arches there are also two lunettes with scenes from the life of St Sebastian: Pope Caius blessing the Saint, and his subsequent martyrdom. These two lunettes were probably painted around 1667 when Preti had just completed his decoration of the vault.
The only sculptured monument in this chapel is the tomb of Grand Master Annet de Clermont de Chattes-Gessan, a sombre baroque work.