A series of colourful frescoes from the 1400s rescued from a condemned church.
'The Transfiguration' by Raphael was painted just before he died in 1520. He was buried in the Pantheon. This painting accompanied his funeral.
A 3,000 year old mummy.
The 'Belvedere Torso'.
This is all that remains of an ancient statue of Hercules.
It is said that Michelangelo loved this piece of rock. He'd caress the statue lovingly and tell people, "I am a pupil of the Torso."
This hall of ancient statues, urns, friezes, tapestries and maps is one quarter of a mile long!
Paintings and statuary abound.
The Sistine Chapel. (Photo taken from a postcard.)
We went to the Vatican Museum on Thursday. That place is overwhelming. It is FULL of incredible art, but there is much too much to look at! It is art overload for sure.
An art history major once told me that if you stood in front of every piece of art in the Vatican Museum for only 12 seconds, you'd be in the museum for 3 years.
I believe it.
The best is saved for last, that's for sure. The Sistine Chapel is mind-boggling to say the least. But it's too bad the guards ruin the experience by shushing the crowd every minute or so. The people aren't loud. They are just excited to talk about what they are seeing with their family and friends.
For Pete's sake, let the tourists whisper in the Sistine Chapel!
Although religious art is not my fave, it is really an art gallery to behold. I think it is hilarious that most of it isn't air conditioned!
ReplyDeleteThe Sistine Chapel is for sure a must see in one's life. I wonder what it must be like to actually be in there without the tourists- like if you were a cardinal. Amazing.