RU  UK  EN
Статьи  >  Enjoy  >  The Sistine Chapel Illusions

The Sistine Chapel Illusions

Автор: 09.10.2021 | Italy, architecture, art, Vatican
More than fifteen hundred years ago Romans were awe struck when they caught the very first sight of the Sistine Chapel. After that masters of painting were born and dead as well as whole pictural art styles. And contemporaries of you and me gape on the distinguished temple.

However, while admiring another line intricacy and allusive painting theme, bear in mind that beneath the plot of glossy surface, as per usual, stand painfully familiar disputes with an impatient client, unpleasant surprises from nature and damaged health of painters-executants.

The Sistine Chapel, according to original project of Pope Julius II, resembled quite unelaborated composition: central image of Jesus surrounded by twelve disciples located in triangles on the periphery of the ceiling. Michelangelo Buonarotti, who was charged with the task of depicting something in his comprehension so poor, put it mildly, was not thrilled. And at times it is hard even for pontifices to argue with a stubborn genius… So, after an eternity spent in longstanding blandishments, the Pope approved iconography amplification in the discretion of the maitre. Thus, Old Testament themes were added to the project of the future Chapel and prophets and prophetesses took places of disciples.

Read also: I came, I saw, I built. Masterpieces of Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini

thumb_147314_cover_header.jpegPhoto pinterest.com

However, these were only first difficulties. Unlike Julius II, nature turned out to be a less cooperative lady. It is hard even for great frescos to resist moistness that was spreading its grey spot on the plaster. Michelangelo’s assistants had to be fixing the problem all the time. Without their help a quick-tempered artist would have dropped his work after another conflict with the Pope. Say what you will, but relations between the two were both dramatic and humorous. Payment delays, regular preponement of the due date (perennial problem, isn’t it?) and hasty tempers of both pontifex and Buonarotti turned the process of the Sistine Chapel designing into a farce tragicomedy with continuous impingement upon ambitions of the both parties.Sistine-Chapel-Vatican-5.jpgPhoto vaticantips.com

The fact that the master was lying around the clock in his “flying” scaffolding with his head thrown aback is a matter of common knowledge. But there are hardly many people who know that due to his outrageously fanatic nature, Michelangelo also strictly forbade anyone at all to enter the premises in his absence. He couldn’t shake concerns about intruders and it was keeping him on the alert. Once he even decided to waylay them. By virtue of the genre, the worst suspicions proved true: there was a stranger in the chapel. The master, furious because of the fact that his prohibition against entering was ignored, started pelting wood blocks and anything that had a slightest ability to fly. And even the fact that it was the pontifex himself withdrawing from the crime scene (he decided to bribe security guard and get an eyeful of the half-finished order) didn’t daunt on the pissed off Buonarotti. It was this exchange of pleasantries and panels that had an impact on the final cut of the temple. Michaelangelo forbade gold-plating of the ceiling reasoning it with pretended complicacy of repeated scaffolding installation. Then again, even without precious metals the Sistine Chapel cannot be denied elegance and splendor. And all this owes to so called illusionistic architecture – a peculiar network of ribs, shields, angels images and nude bodies. Pictures of shells (symbol of Mother Mary) and acorns with oak leaves – the symbol of papal family della Rovere were no rarity as wellArazzi-Sistina-7.jpg
Photo apollo-magazine.com

Read also: Everyone soon or late comes to Rome

Sad to say, but despite the good offices of renovators and guardians, the chapel’s present look brings across its grandeur only in part. During renovation of 1980s frescos gained fresher view. But due to discrepancies in painting techniques a very special feature of the frescos was lost – their talking glances. Thus, many shapes that came out from under Michelangelo’s brush closed their eyes on the visitors forever.Jesse_spandrel_beforeandafter.jpgPhoto wikiwand.com

However, those willing to have a squint at Buonarotti’s works have no intention to do the same. The interest is stirred up by the fact that photo shooting of the chapel is forbidden. You bet that the most fearless and desperate judges of the beauty manage to steal a picture of paintings but disappointment is expecting them anyway. Rumor has it, even best-heeled photographers with all necessary equipment and lighting fail to make good pictures of the chapel. It is hard to say right off the bat where the element of truth is in all the mysticism and what contributes to sagacity and pragmatism of local tour guides. But it very much looks like master Michelangelo created a real wonder: something capturing that can be captured neither on a screen nor on a film.

Cover photo freepik.com

Вам это будет интересно:
Mould your hobby. History of pottery
In a local history museum in every country you visit, you will certainly notice similar archaeological finds - fragments of clay products. Pottery, born millennia ago, but “living” even today, can rightfully be considered one of the most tenacious one. The uniqueness of clay was noticed by our distant ancestors who lived in caves ...
Appeasement and beauty. Impressive temples of Asia
Buddhists say: to get rid of suffering, one should get rid of desire. There are special places for that. Today we suggest you to check out our top five of stunning temples, where Buddhists and tourists are looking for a way to harmony for their souls.
Art of topiary
When I, as a little girl, for the first time passed my hand over trimmed bush, my palm got scratched with sharp edges of twigs and lasting arborvitae fragrance hit my nose. Mesmerized, I was not able to take my eyes away from the cones, balls and squares that surrounded me in the park of a small resort town. I felt like being inside a fairy tale, where behind the leaves I could notice a smile of the Cheshire Cat.
Holy beauty! What are the most famous abbeys in the world hiding?
What do you imagine when you hear the word "abbey"? I'm sure most people will first of all think of Westminster. But what if I said that in fact it is no longer an abbey? So what makes these medieval buildings so special? Let's look at the example of buildings from different European countries.
Eastern hights
Stereotypes are terrible. They form a definite picture of the world in our heads, and it is not so easy to change. Take, for instance, the concept of skyscraper: imagination of 90% people immediately provoke skyline of American cities, familiar from movies and TV. It is quite logical, but nowadays panorama of the best luxury skyscrapers is in other direction – keep moving to the East. For Arab structures may outdo Western ones in all respects.
PHOTOproject: Beyond Warsaw
We were catching the warm spring sun rays at almost empty Warsaw Sunday streets. When the sun had hidden behind the skyscraper - we got high on the tallest among them to enjoy the sunset.
The most beautiful churches in the world: charm and divine power
The architecture of temples has interesting and sometimes controversial history. Quite often the novelties and fundamentals of movements in architecture started with the building of temples with sophisticated design. The Polish Roman Catholic churches are rather bright in their beauty.
Step over threshold: The magical art of the huichol
Dazzling flashes of ancient knowledge manifested in colourful shimmering beads and in elaborated yarn mosaics by Huichol Indians, captivate the imagination calling for an endless journey through branches of the world tree. Spiritual images take on flesh in intricate ornaments that accompany a Mexican peasant throughout his life.
Between Heaven And... Water: World’s 5 smallest inhabited islands
Each of us wants to escape rush of a city from time to time and lie low somewhere far from everything and anything. And it better be a place where one can listen to whisper of waves, feel light breeze and forever make friends with inimitably loud silence that muffles every disturbing thought…
Kamasan: Village of masterpieces in Bali
Bali is one of the most popular places to spend winter. Ocean, volcanoes, amazing nature and exotic fruits... But there is also one more reason that not many people know of, yet it definitely deserves attention: Kamasan, a unique art village where namesake Balinese picture art was conceived – as ancient as the island itself. We are going to tell about it today on the pages of the OUTLOOK.
Le Grand Louvre
First exhibition of paintings in the world’s most visited museum the Louvre was opened on 1793. But its building was well-known far beyond France, though the edifice was not used with such lofty cultural purposes.
Sculpture of the Vatican: history and philosophy
"A small territory with a great mission" is the motto under which on February 11, 1929 Lateran Treaty between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See recognized Vatican as a sovereign territory. It was an agreement which opened doors for curious patrons who for centuries had been trading gossip about "What is kept inside Vatican castles?".
If you have 10 dollars and you are in Rome
Today, OUTLOOK continues one of its most popular column with a story about how you can spend ten dollars, forever green and pleasant for pocket and eye, in the Eternal City in which crowds of tourists flock annually and who never ceases to amaze every lucky person who has been here! Believe us, the capital of Italy has something to surprise you!
VIDEO. Bethlehem: perfect holiness
On this great holiday for all Christians of the Orthodox rite, we want to present you a video about the holy places of Palestine, namely the city of Bethlehem.
The winter fairy-tale: which cities are the most beautifully decorated to New Year eve
Till the beginning of 2022 there is little time that’s why in case one hasn’t decided yet where and how to celebrate the most popular holiday on our planet, OUTLOOK offers the list of the brightest cities for the celebration. There all the wishes and dreams will, definitely, come true!
Glass Handmade
Exclusive glass vases and Christmas tree decorations that only exist in one or two samples, aside from high price, most often also have in common unique production technology that is mastered by representatives of a rare profession – glass-blower. The history of the craft has lasted for a couple of millennia with some old secrets of handmade production still kept under seal.
One Lives And Learns – World’s Most Interesting Campuses
With this article, we want to inspire both current and future students with a selection of the most impressive universities and institute campuses. Those who have already received degree will probably get filled with admiration, too, and start thinking whether or not to get another one because in such places one hits the books especially fruitfully.
Handicraft: persian carpets
In those days when the Persian soldiers were second to none, and both the Roman Empire and the Arabian Peninsula were conquered by their power, skilful fingers of winner nation craftswomen created their first masterpiece. The carpet called The Springtime passed into history as the most precious of all time. It symbolized powerful rule of the Persians, and its beauty told about the divine origin of the king Khosrow I.
World ghettos: Little Italy a la New York
When moving to a new country, more often than not people tend to get settled nearby emigrants like themselves. It is pretty convenient: accommodation isn’t expensive, job can be found right on the location and there is no need to study a new language – everyone around understands you. This is how national ghettos appear.
What do they eat: Rome’s cuisine
OUTLOOK often tells about the kitchens of the peoples around the world, but when it comes to Italy, writing about the country should be a crime. Each of its twenty regions has its own culinary world with the subtleties and specialties. Let the title of gastronomic capital of Italy be Bologna, its official capital - Rome, too, has something to boast about. We are telling you what is remarkable about Roman cuisine...
Закрыть
Outlook facebook page