ART APPRECIATION THREAD--Vatican tour (the magnificent Bernini altar)

Sweet Briar College ^ | 23 April 2003 | Gwen M. McKinney

[LPStar]

Ping

[Libloather]

St. Peter's Basilica and The Vatican
The Vatican. Colonnade of St. Peter's Square.

The elliptical shape, symbolising the Church's embrace of all of mankind, is defined by a series of 284 columns arranged in four rows. lf, however, you stand on one of the two focuses of the ellipse, marked by a granite disk, it seems that the colonnade is made up of only a single row of columns! At the end of the right-hand arm of the colonnade, two Swiss Guards stand watch before the Scala Regia. Skilfully exploiting the little space at his disposal, the artist managed to give the illusion of a much bigger staircase through the use of optical devices.

Inside the basilica, also, Bernini's ingenious inventions never cease to amaze. The huge space under the dome was occupied by the gigantic Baldacchino, 29 metres high like Palazzo Farnese and the Louvre, whose twisted columns were cast of bronze taken from the Pantheon, a fact that immediately became the subject of the famous pasquinade "Quod non fecerunt barbari, fecerunt Barberini" (What the Barbarians did not do, the Barberini did).

The Baldacchino was erected over the altar, which in turn was placed exactly over the spot where, according to tradition, St. Peter is buried.

On the bases of the bronze columns supporting the Baldacchino, it is possibie to see the shields with the Barberini bees.

A closer examination reveals, however, that in reality they show the sequence of expressions of pain on the face of a woman giving birth. Going around the monument clockwise, seven different moments of pregnancy can be seen, up to the smiling face of a baby. Bernini intended, evidently through the figure of Pope Urban VIII Barberini, to celebrate mankind who suffers while awaiting salvation.

At the back of the apse is the Cathedra, the large bronze chair, supported by four gigantic statues portraying the Doctors of the Church, which was created to hold the episcopal chair where Peter sat.

In reality, the cathedra, kept inside the Baroque monument, dates from the 9th century and is a gift from King Charles I (the Bald) to Pope John VII.

To give an idea of the dimensions of the cathedra, just imagine that 121 tons of bronze were used and that the wingspan of the dove of the Holy Spirit in the stained-glass window is 1.75 metres long. The tiaras of the Doctors of the Church, situated below, are also about two metres high.

The square is dominated by the largest church in the world: St. Peter's Basilica. The dome was designed by Michelangelo, who also designed the plan of the Renaissance church, rebuilt over the early Christian one as ordered by papal architect Donato Bramante, who had the ancient basilica torn down. For this reason Bramante was nicknamed "Mastro ruinante" ("ruining master").

By Michelangelo there is also the beautiful Pietà, kept in the first chapel of the right aisle. lt is the only work actually signed by the great artist. lt is said that the sculptor, angry because no one knew who had done the masterpiece, decided to engrave his name on the band encircling the Virgin's breast. Michelangelo also engraved his monogram "M" in the folds of the Virgin's right hand, the one turned towards the viewer.

Also from the Vatican Museums, where it is also possibie to see Raphael's Stanze, painted between 1509 and 1512, and the Borgia Apartment, frescoed in the late 15th century by Pinturicchio, we can arrive in St. Peter's Square.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I'll never forget it..."

THAT is an awesome story, my FRiend...my closest brush with HOLINESS was back in '93 when my brother was graduating from the University of Virginia and after the big main ceremony on the infamous LAWN, the graduates broke up into colleges and we went over to Memorial Gym. As we seated ourselves in the bleachers there, we had no idea that just behind us, and three seats over, was Jesse Jackson, there to watch his son (Jumaine, I believe) graduate with my brother.

Well, being the staunch RightWinger that I was even back then, I realized this was my opportunity to educate this RACIST SOCIALIST as to the realities of the World. I waited fer the proper opportunity to voice my opinion, and while I waited, I made it obvious that I was focusing my camera directly at JesseJay!! He saw me coming, and still he failed to let out a YELP!! BWAHAHAHAHA!!

Well, anyway, after my brother and Jumaine had received their diplomas and the long ovation was ended, I made my move and walked up the bleachers and took the empty seat right next to JesseJay!! Then I started talkin'...I told him how I was glad he ran fer POTUS 'cuz he distracted the Left from supporting the RATS' candidate. I told him that his socialist policies were bad fer Americans and bad fer Blacks!! I told him that he would NEVER be President, becuz the first African-American President would be a conservative Republican!!

Well, it gets sorta hazy after that...apparently, JessyJay had a coupla body-guards, 'cuz I got whacked in the head and my ol' man had to dive on one bouncer, while my other brother was whuppin' on body-guard #2!! I woke up enuff to dive at JesseJay and knock him to the bleachers just above him. JesseJay's wife jumped on my back, then my mom got her in a headlock. It was quite the tussle, I must say. I landed a coupla body punches to Rev. Jackson before security puleed mwe off him.

Weird thing is, me and my family got escorted out while the Jackson KLAN got to stay until the end of the program...SHEEEESH!! But I'll bet I tell this story more often than Rev. Jackson does...LOL!!

We waited outside Mem Gym fer about 20 minutes before the cops made me and my family leave.

FReegards...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

BTW...I made up everything after the "BWAHAHAHAHA!!"

So, BWAHAHAHAHA...MUD

[Libloather]

I landed a coupla body punches to Rev. Jackson before security pulled me off him.

You nailed Jesse before he nailed you? Just think of the savings in child support payments alone!

[Marguerite]

The most beautiful piece in St.Peter is, without any doubt, Michelangelo's Pieta.

[Mudboy Slim]

Heh heh heh...the fella never had a chance...MUD

[Libloather]

The most beautiful piece in St.Peter is, without any doubt, Michelangelo's Pieta.

It's simply amazing that it made it through the chisel incident. I saw it after it was put behind glass. I only wish I could draw that well. Ain't gonna happen...

[Mudboy Slim]

SHEEESH...I waste ten minutes of my life making up that story and you don't even comment?! Yer cold, my FRiend, just cold...MUD

[Libloather]

...I waste ten minutes of my life making up that story and you don't even comment?!

I've got 35mm pictures from the 90's as evidence. Are you telling me you have chunks of Jesse's hairpiece? Frame it - quick! It may end up in the Civil Rights Museum some day! (Try Ebay first - eh? Could bring a pretty penny...)

[firewalk]

Thanks

[FairOpinion]

Are you starting an "ART APPRECIATION THREAD" ping list?
I think it's a great idea, at least weekly?

If you are, could you please put me on the list.
Thanks.

[Dolphy]

I would love to be added...who should I let know?

By the way...this is a beautiful start. While I have an affection for a wide range of art, the list is much shorter when it comes to what has taken my breath away. Bernini and several from the High Renaissance period are on that list.

[Intolerant in NJ]

If you want to be on a new art appreciation ping list, check in here...sign me up....

[PGalt]

Thanks for the ping Liz. Great thread. Please add me to your art appreciation list.

[Jhensy]

Just the folds in the cloth alone make that the most amazing artwork ever created. And #2 (the Sistine Chapel, with the Last Judgement) is just a short walk away.

That Michelangelo... he was pretty good.

[Marguerite]

First time I saw the Pieta, it was before they it under glass.
Unforgettable moment.
And when you think that Michelangelo was only 24 when he carved it...

[Liz]

Please add me. I have 3 Elvis on black velvet paintings. I know art when I see it!

I dunno, CG. I gotta run this by Sam Cree. LOL.

Elvis? On velvet? Betcha you even got paintings of dogs dressed like people (gag).

[Liz]

Thanks for the post---wonderful contribution to the thread.