ART APPRECIATION THREAD--Vatican tour (the magnificent Bernini altar)

Sweet Briar College ^ | 23 April 2003 | Gwen M. McKinney

[Liz]

......Bernini early on in his career to the time of his death had always some connection to the decoration of Saint Peter's. It is his overall view of what the basilica should look like that makes Bernini's designs the essence of the Baroque style.......

Of all the astonishingly beautiful artwork in the Vatican, Bernini's altar takes one's breath away.

[kellynla]

BTTT

[Liz]

ping

[FormerACLUmember]

I went to the Vatican this summer. I disturbed the worshippers with the loud "clunk" as my jaw hit the floor as I entered St. Peters.

[NativeNewYorker]

I've been lucky enough to visit the Vatican twice, and I'd go back tomorrow. It is simply a wonder.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you. :)

[trisham]

Awe inspiring. Thanks.

[B Knotts]

Now, that's art. Shame we don't seem to have many artists left.

[Liz]

I know what you mean---grin. Someone complained all one does touring Italy is look at churches. Well, that's where all the great art and architecture is.

The Ufizzi Gallery is also a jaw-dropper----was originally designed to host the archives and administrative offices of the state of Florence. In 1737 Anna Maria Ludovica de Medici, the last member of this family (1-2 were Popes) that mentored great artists to decorate churches, converted it into a Museum. The 45 rooms and galleries hold some of the most famous art in the world.


However, even sitting in the piazza sipping cappucino, one is surrounded by art.

[Liz]

So glad you liked the thread. Go to the source for more text and pics.

[Bahbah]

The Ufizzi Gallery is also a jaw-dropper

Enthusiastic second to that.

[Liz]

At the Ufizzi-----The Venus........

[MeekOneGOP]

Oh, yeah. Very nice.

LOTS of time and hard work to make such great artwork.

Thanks. :)

[Bahbah]

At the Ufizzi-----The Venus

Hah! You are a mind reader. I remember rounding a corner and there it was. I was simply speechless.

[xp38]

A good time to visit St Peters is as soon as it opens up in the morning. This is around 7 am I think. This is before the tourist hordes descend on the Vatican since they are all still waking up or having breakfast. YYou have to get up early to do so but it is quite a different place to view almost empty. When I visited there were a few small masses taking place in corners of St. Peters but that was it. Also seeing the rays of the sun enter the basilica through the windows of the front entry is another highlight.

[Liz]

The postage stamp clip does not do it justice---it is a huge work of art------awesome in its conception and execution.

[Liz]

-----thread brings back so many memorable moments-----

[FormerACLUmember]

An art and wine tour of Italy, my idea of paradise.

[woofie]

No one cared about this thread but I thought it interesting:

Pope John Paul II's Staff Was Work of Santa Fe Sculptor http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1378567/posts

[Liz]

MICHAELANGELO

Michaelangelo Buonarroti was born near Florence, Italy in 1495. He died at the age of 89 years old in 1564. He was a famous artist and sculptor of the Renaissance period. His paintings were realistic and he used dark color. He painted life like paintings of people, fresco painting, and statues. His first love was sculpture. He learned "fresco painting" in wet plaster from Master Ghirlandaio. Famous Works: His most famous painting was the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He painted many scenes from the Bible. It took him four years to complete his painting. His most famous sculpture was David. The statue shows David ready to fight the giant Goliath. This statue is made out of marble and it is 16 feet 10 inches tall.

DAVID