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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