The noble Piccolomini family, one of the most prestigious in Siena, had among its illustrious members two figures of major importance who played a leading role in the history of the art in the cathedral: Pope Pius II (1458-1464), born Enea Silvio Piccolomini, a humanist and art patron, and his nephew Francesco Todeschini Piccolimini, also elected pope in 1503, taking the name of Pius III, but . . .