An Appreciation of Renaissance Art: St. Peter’s Basilica

From the Sistine Chapel to the Pieta, Rome has no shortage of prominent works of the Renaissance. One could crisscross the legendary city for several lifetimes and never fall short of breathtaking art. However, rarely would a day pass by where St. Peter’s Basilica was not a dominant part of the ancient skyline. Its unique dome and steep lines hint to the legendary lineup of architects that took part in its design including Bramante, Bernini, and Michelangelo.

St. Peter’s was originally completed between 319 and 333 on top of St. Peter’s supposed burial site by commission of Emperor Constantine. By the the time of Pope Nicholas V, the old basilica was in bad shape. He commissioned the demolition of the old building and the construction of the new building in 1452. The new basilica wasn’t completed until 1626, 174 years later. During this time several Popes came and went, along with a handful of prominent architects, with each having their unique effects on the final build.

Part of the structure including the outer steps features hundreds of cartloads of stone taken from the Collesium [1], a sign of the reinvention of Rome by the Catholic church. During this time, the church had increasing influence following Rome’s dark ages. As mass attendance increased, and the church gained funds from monetary successes such as the introduction of indulgences, the money became available to fund such a massive project. Pope Nicholas V wanted to use the Basilica as proof that Christianity was the dominant and true religion of the world.

The result of this massive undertaking is stunning. The structure is fronted by a massive piazza with an Egyptian obelisk rising from the center, placed as a symbol of Christianities overtaking of pagan faiths and rumored to be topped with the relics of Christ’s true cross. The facade of the Basilica is held up by 50m high Corinth columns, which are of decidedly renaissance influence. At 140 meters high, the Basilica’s dome was one of the most monumental undertakings of its time. Of primarily Michelangelo’s design, it bears resemblance to the renaissance dome of the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. It is supported by sixteen radial ribs and is formed from an inner and outer shell. The inner shell is decorated with exquisite mural paintings and medallions of saints circling its base. The main interior of the church is vast, making St. Peters the largest cathedral in the world. It is lavishly decorated with marble and gilding, and peppered with sculptures and murals that carry their individual legend and prestige.

Being an avid fan of acient architecture, this structure strikes me in many ways. Upon a visit in 2011, I was dumbstruck by the visual overload. Obviously, the structure itself is stunning. The sheer size of it dwarfs the human form. The ornate adornment on the outside of the building takes several hours to take in, with the level of detail pleasing to the most critical of eyes. The entrance into the cathedral is like a doorway into a golden paradise. Rays of light refract light into the massive expanse from the upper widows circling the dome. There seems to be a fantastic work of art adorning the walls or standing on the floors in every direction. The level of detail on the works is mind blowing, even more so than the exterior. Equally impressive is the realization that the structure was built with incredibly limited technological resources. How one would even go about such an undertaking without modern surveying equipment and large equipment is beyond my comprehension. This structure is not only a testament to human creativity and ability, but also a pinnacle of one of the largest religious organizations in the world. It has been a monument of the Catholic church for over 400 years, and to this day remains of incredibly important spiritual significance for millions. Personally, I find it an inspiring work beyond words. Truly something impossible to encapsulate with photographs.

 

Sources:
[1] Claridge, Amanda, Judith Toms, and Tony Cubberley. Rome : an Oxford archaeological guide to Rome. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Print.

[2] “Saint Peter’s Basilica.” Saint Peter’s Basilica. Vatican Government, n.d. Web. 12 June 2014. <http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en/monumenti/basilica-di-s-pietro.html>.