Roman Art & Architecture in the Age of Ignatius

Here I am again, reflecting on this past week in Rome. It’s sad to think that this trip is more than halfway over. 

This week we focused on Roman art and architecture from the High Renaissance and Baroque periods. Most major works from these periods are found in none other than the Vatican itself.  

New St. Peter's

Old St. Peter's

We visited St. Peter’s Basilica which was renovated from its fourth century Constantinian architectural style to a “new” High Renaissance and Baroque style. The construction of the new basilica started with Bramante in the High Renaissance and ended with Bernini in the Baroque period. 

Greek Cross Plan (left), Latin Cross Plan (right)

The basilica was originally suppose to be in the shape of a Greek cross making the building a perfect square. This reflects the Renaissance idea of balance, harmony, and symmetry. When they realized that the Greek cross plan was not practical for a large gathering, they made it into a Latin cross by extending the nave in order to accommodate more people. This shows how the ideas for the building changed from the sixteenth century to the seventeenth century. Ideally, the perfect symmetry of the Greek cross should have worked, but practically the Latin cross plan was more functional.

St. Peter's facade

Bernini was commissioned to create the facade of the basilica as well as St. Peter’s Square. Although dramatic, the seventeenth century facade of St. Peter’s covers the main dome of the basilica when viewed from up close. This was criticized by several people and even called a “Baroque post office.”  When viewed from afar, the facade resembles a classical Roman temple complete with Corinthian columns and a pediment. The inscription indicates that a Borghese pope was a patron of the basilica. The row of statues on the top of the facade depicts Jesus in the center being flanked on both sides by saints. The facade as a whole reflects the dramatic and theatrical that was the Baroque style. 

St. Peter's Square colonnade

St. Peter’s Square reflects the old circus of Nero that was supposedly on the site before it became the Vatican. The elliptical colonnade is connected to the trapezoidal entrance of the basilica. The colonnade is four columns deep to give the illusion of depth. It also is in a shape of an ellipse which breaks away from the perfect circle which was used in the High Renaissance. The shape also represents a pair of arms reaching out to embrace the religious and those who had gone astray from the church. Both of the facade and square of St. Peter’s reflect this new style of Baroque by creating a dramatic, theatrical, grandiose, and spectacular experience before the viewer even enters the basilica itself. 

Inside St. Peter's

The inside St. Peter’s Basilica is the epitome of High Renaissance and Baroque style combined. Although grand and extravagant, there is a feeling of harmony and balance. It leans more towards the Baroque in terms of decoration, but leans more towards the High Renaissance in terms of architecture. Several famous works of art are found in the basilica including Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s baldacchino. 

Michelangelo's Pietà

Michelangelo was one of the great High Renaissance artists with his specialty being sculpture. The Pietà is the prime example of High Renaissance sculpture. The sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding the adult Jesus after he has been crucified. Michelangelo figured out how to keep the delicate form of Mary while also making her big enough to support the adult Jesus. He keeps the perfect pyramidal form of the High Renaissance in his sculpture which shows balance and harmony. Michelangelo signed the sculpture on the strap that goes across Mary’s chest. 

Bernini's baldacchino

Bernini’s baldacchino is at the crossing, where the transept meets the nave, of the basilica. This is a prime example of Baroque sculpture because of how grand and dramatic it is. The whole structure is like a house for the main alter. When looked at straight on, the columns frame the golden sculpture in the apse of the basilica. The spiral columns leads the eye upward towards the top where angels are standing. The top center depicts an angel that seems to be floating, giving the illusion of weightlessness even though it is a heavy statue, and holding the triple tiara of the pope. The bronze banners below the angels depict the Barberini bees which is a sign of patronage. 

New St. Peter’s shows how the popes during the High Renaissance and the Baroque eras were dramatic and theatrical. They no longer wanted the fourth century basilica of Constantine, they wanted to usher in a new look for the Catholic Church. They wanted to show the power, whether it be material or divine, that the Catholic Church had over all people. 

Two weeks down, two to go.

Ciao for now!