Hello from Rome!
For our second week in Rome, our excursions took us to the
age of Ignatius. We explored the Roman
Art and architecture of his period by exploring places like St. Peter’s
Basilica, Villa Faresina, Saint Maria del Popolo, and the Porta del
Popolo. These locations held remarkable
artwork by the artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Sebastiano del Piombo,
Pinturicchio, Filarete, and Baldassare Peruzzie. The day was full of wonder and intensity of
this period and we started the morning off at Saint Peter’s Basilica.
Before we
entered the Basilica we took time to note and learn from Filarete’s bronze
doors that are at the opening of Saint Peter’s. The bronze doors were created
during the Renaissance and have Byzantine and Medieval influences that decorate
it. The iconography that he used for the
doors included images of Jesus, the Mother of God, Peter, Paul, and the
executions of St. Paul and St. Peter.
The door also has a donor portrait that is attached to St. Peter’s section. It illustrates Peter giving the keys to Pope
Eugenuis IV, who commissioned Filarete for the doors to be created. There is also a self-portrait of Filarete on
the doors. He slipped himself on the
door towards the side, illustrating the rise of importance of artists. In this period, artists’ place in society was
beginning to elevate to a status of culture and power. They were receiving education similar to that
of poets and philosophers, which was apparent in their art. The door also illustrates scenes from the
Council of Florence in between the sections of the main pieces. The ornate design of each panel and between
the panels tells the story of how Catholicism originated and further developed
and grew into the Roman society.
After
leaving the doors, we entered Saint Peter’s Basilica. The basilica was commissioned, destroyed, and
rebuilt under the papacy of Julius II.
Julius II was an extremely powerful figure during this period in time. He was a major patron towards the arts and
was known as a warrior pope for his liberal strategies with foreign policy and
ambitious building projects. His time as
pope is a great example of the power of papal supremacy. He was active in politics, as well as, religion. Inside the basilica is breathtaking with
grand sculptures and works of art that decorate the building. The basilica is also home to Michelangelo’s, Pieta. This sculpture of Mother Mary
holding her dead child after his crucifixion is a powerful and emotional piece
to see.
After
leaving the Basilica, we made our way to Villa Farnesina. The villa was built for Julius II’s
treasurer, Agostino Chigi and was decorated by Raphael and Sebastiano del
Piombo. Raphael and San Sebastiano del
Piombo’s frescos are immense and detailed, telling the story of The Triumph of Galatea. The show the dramatics of the human
experience through the characters of Galatea, Acis, and the Cyclopes named
Polyphemus. These works are said to be
inspired by Michelangelo’s work.
Throughout the villa, the frescos illustrate the dramatics and grandeur
of the human body. They placed the
bodies in complicated and theatrical positions, which is an element of this
period during the Renaissance.
Our last
stop of the day took us to St. Maria del Popolo and the Porta del Popolo. This church is run by the Augustinian Order
and contains works by Raphael, Pinturicchio, Caravaggio, and several
Renaissance artists. The Della Rovere
Chapel was made by Pinturicchio, containing his famous piece, The Adoration of the Shepherds with St.
Jerome. The church contains several
pieces from this period during the Renaissance.
It also houses the Chigi Chapel created by Raphael and serves as a tomb
for Chigi brothers. It illustrates the
grandness of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque art. The powerful image of God looking down on the
viewer before they enter Heaven is very intimidating, especially when the
chapel was created for death.
Until Next week….xoxo
Kelsey Nicolosi!
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