Vatican Splendors Coming to U.S.
Some 200 Works of Art Reveal Evolution of Catholic Church & Papacy
"Vatican Splendors from St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Swiss Guard" describes the history of the Catholic Church and papacy through 200 important objects.
The special exhibition Vatican Splendors from St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Swiss Guard will make three stops at United States museums beginning in 2008.
Vatican Splendors... is traveling to the Florida International Museum in St. Petersburg (February 9-May 11, 2008), the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, Ohio (May 31-September 7, 2008) and a museum in St. Paul, Minnesota. Tickets to the exhibition, available through Ticketmaster, cost $20.00 for adults, $17.00 for seniors and $13.00 for children ages 6 to 12.
The Exhibition's Organization and Contents
Some 200 artworks and historically important objects describe the evolution of the Church and papacy from St. Peter, the first pope, to the present. After an introductory video presentation, they are organized according to four themes.
Foundations of the Church relates the story of St. Peter and the building of the Church.
- Jesus, the Holy Family and the Apostles features images of the Church's founders, including the iconic Mandylion (Holy Face) of Edessa (3rd-5th Century A.D.), reportedly the most ancient portrait of Christ, and a linen image of the Savior with a crown of thorns by cross-eyed Italian painter Guercino (1591-1666).
- The Tomb of St. Peter recreates the 2nd-century A.D. Vatican necropolis. It includes a reliquary containing St. Peter's bones, ancient oil lamps and a reproduction of the monument that identifies the apostle's grave.
- The Ancient Basilica contains architectural drawings, paintings and castings that help recount how the original St. Peter's Basilica was constructed by the Roman emperor Constantine (r. 306-337). The mosaic Bust of an Angel (1310-1313?), attributed to Early Italian Renaissance artist Giotto di Bondone (1267?-1337), is a highlight of this section.
500 Years of the Vatican celebrates the quincentennials of New St. Peter's Basilica, the Papal Swiss Guard and the Vatican Museums.
- The Renaissance Basilica details the contributions of Donato Bramante (1444-1514), Raphael (1483-1520), Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) and Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) to the development of New St. Peter's Basilica during the Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods. Included are drawings of the Renaissance Basilica, documents, Michelangelo's drafting compass and a terracotta bust by Bernini.
- The Papal Swiss Guard traces the soldiers' history through their colorful uniforms, armor and weaponry, both functional and ceremonial.
- The Vatican Museums features works of art commissioned and collected by the popes, including those from ancient and foreign civilizations.
The Work of the Pope describes the Sistine Chapel's historical importance as well as the papal election process, religious celebrations and the pontiff's interaction with the world.
- The Sistine Chapel explains the process of papal succession upon the pope's death, a secret ceremony that takes place within the Chapel's confines.
- Election examines the traditions, rites and ceremonies connected with one pontiff's passing and his successor's installation, focusing on Pope Benedict XVI (r. 2005-present) through ceremonial objects and vestments associated with his installation.
- Celebrations illustrates papal ceremonies and includes the missal and jewel-encrusted gold table cross of Pope Leo XIII (r. 1878-1903), tiara and chasuble (seasonal outer vestment) of Pope Pius XI (r. 1922-1939) and the original miter (liturgical headdress) of Pope Paul VI (r. 1963-1978).
- Dialogue with the World describes the pope's work within the organizational framework of the Roman Catholic Church and with leaders of other religions through rare historical documents.
Stories of Popes considers the ministries of some of the 265 pontiffs over the course of 20 centuries. On view are the tiara of Pope Pius VII (r. 1824-1831), a bronze portrait of Pope Paul VI by Lello Scorzelli (1921-1997), the Jubilee Year pastoral staff and cope of Pope John Paul II (r. 1978-2005), a touchable bronze cast of his hand and a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI, his chasuble, miter and papal ring.
Sources:
- Boorsch, Suzanne. “The Building of the Vatican: The Papacy and Architecture.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin (Winter 1982), 1-2, 4-64.
- O'Neill, John. The Vatican. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1982.
- Raggio, Olga, et al. The Vatican Collections: The Papacy and Art (exh. cat.). New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1982.
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