225 St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel

225 Journal Prompt: Your usual art journal with one object from St. Peter’s Basilica and some portion of the Sistine Chapel.

The Papal Altar and Baldacchino, located in St. Peter’s Basilica, stands soaring high, proud of its incredible design.  The structure is about thirty meters tall and is made of a compellation of metals, bronze, and marble.  Starting in the year 1624, Bernini continued for nine years working on the extravagant baldacchino in which “Bernini refers to the traditional ciborium of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, which was still being used during that period” (http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Altars/PapalAltar/PapalAltar.htm).  The website continues on to discuss how instead of making smooth poles, he decided to have a spiral design to make them different than the usual expected architectures, along with the brilliant décor of angels, keys of St. Peter, and sword of St. Paul. 
       

Part of what makes the altar and baldacchino interesting is all of what went in behind it.  Not only were many years put into building the beautiful architecture, but also large amounts of money.  Though previously the space was occupied by a separate structure, Urban VIII decided to give Bernini the position to create a better work using whatever means he needed.  Throughout the construction, they even went so far as taking 927 tons of bronze from the Pantheon to ensure the work of art would please everyone who looked upon it (http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica).  The concept of Romans recycling parts of old buildings seems to continue on everywhere one looks and represents so much of ancient Roman culture.    

Another important note is all of the symbols present within the art.  When looking hard, one may find clues that represent all of the beliefs occurring around the time of its creation.  The website recognizes that “the baldacchino symbolizes the union of the Old Testament wisdom of Solomon, the Christian tradition of Constantine, and the rebirth of a triumphal church under the guidance of the Barberini family.”  The structure does so by incorporating the spirals as spoken of earlier representing a structure previously under Constantine, cherubs incorporating the Old Testament, and a sun and bees for the Barberini family.  Bernini was looking to please Urban VIII and did so very strongly.  By looking at ancient art, one finds so many hidden clues that could easily be overlooked by someone not as knowledgeable about the past.  The Papal altar and baldacchino are just one example of an artwork structure that leaves viewers searching endlessly for the history that makes up its very core.

Sistine Chapel- Michelangelo the Last Judgment

In the Sistine Chapel, one may find on the wall a magnificent painting done by Michelangelo.  His famous Last Judgment is hard to miss as it broadcasts its 539.3 in × 472.4 ingenious creation behind the altar.  Using a fresco and paint, Michelangelo took a step away from his usual chisel and set out on a mission to create a masterpiece.  Using his intellect and creativity, Michelangelo made a painting that easily stands out from the rest. 

During the time of which Michelangelo started, 1535, he ironically did not wish to paint since he was typically known for being a sculptor.  As our tour guide discussed, he was put on the mission anyway to be set up for failure.  Little did the Pope and church know how grand the outcome of his paintings would be.  Throughout the images, one may find many nude individuals which made many people uncomfortable.  One of the displeased individuals, Cesena, gave Michelangelo opposition at his audacity to paint people nude at a place of worship.  In retaliation, Michelangelo portrayed Cesena as the Master of Hell whom became enraged.  Pope Paul III was not concerned with this portrayal and responded cleverly, “I might have released you from Purgatory, but over Hell I have no power" (http://www.reidsitaly.com/destinations/lazio/rome/sights/vatican_sistine.html).  The artwork which is so well known manages to give insight to the life and humor of the man behind the paintbrush, making it that much more valuable. 

Though Cesena remains in Hell in the painting today, unfortunately for Michelangelo, one of his students Volterra was instructed to paint clothes over the figures in the end (http://www.italian-renaissance-art.com/Last-Judgement.html).  Not only was there controversy then, but the fight continues on even today.  During a restoration and cleaning, some of the clothes were removed from the painting to portray Michelangelo’s initial intentions.  However, nobody knows for sure which figures he actually wanted clothed and which naked so many people remain unhappy (http://www.reidsitaly.com/destinations/lazio/rome/sights/vatican_sistine.html).  Whether or not the work is currently what Michelangelo wanted it to be, the painting still brings out much emotion in others.  Portraying the coming of Christ along with martyred Saints and the depths of Hell, the fresco still inspires people, bringing out passion people did not know they had for art.