The Vatican Museums are like no other. Simple as that. Nestled within Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in the Christian world, these museums house an extraordinary array of treasures. From ancient Etruscan artefacts and exquisite marble sculptures to Raphael’s masterful paintings and Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoed ceilings, the collections here offer an unparalleled journey through art and history.
First established by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the museums house an extraordinary array of artwork, sculptures, and artefacts that span the history of mankind. Visitors are invited to explore the museum complex from the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, and the Gallery of Maps. Totaling over 70,000 pieces on display over 1,400 rooms, the Vatican Museums, or also known as “The Museum of Museums,” provide an immersive experience into the history of art, religion, and culture, with examples of works by Leonardo Da Vinci, Guido Reni, Caravaggio and many other masters. No wonder the Vatican Museums continue to draw millions of visitors each year, an opportunity to witness some of humanity’s most treasured creations.
Did You Know?
In 1973 a Hungarian visitor, Lazslo Toth, decided to attack Michelangelo’s Carrara marble sculpture, La Pietà, with a hammer. Before being tackled down, Toth managed to break off the Madonna’s arm, part of her nose and cause marks on the face; years of restorative work ensued with positive results.Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident of vandalism within the Vatican Museums. More recently, in 2022, an American tourist, frustrated to learn that it would not be possible for him to meet Pope Francis, threw two ancient Roman marble busts from the 1st century to the ground, causing significant damage.
Vatican’s Art Collection
The Vatican’s incredible art collection has grown over centuries, thanks to a blend of patronage, diplomacy, donations, and commissioned masterpieces. Each pope added his own touch by commissioning pieces, seeing art as a powerful way to express the Catholic faith. Diplomacy also played its part, with nobles, rulers, and officials gifting sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, and other treasures as tokens of goodwill. Many families and artists donated works, helping shape the Church’s cultural legacy. And, of course, there are legendary commissioned pieces, like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes, which capture the Vatican’s devotion to artistic excellence.
The Prince of Painters
In the “Museum of Museums,” it is fitting to find the timeless masterpieces of Raphael, often hailed as the “Prince of Painters.” Born in Urbino in 1483, Raphael is a pillar of Renaissance art and architecture, renowned for his skillful frescoes. In 1508, Pope Julius II invited him to fresco the Pope’s private library, a project that became Raphael’s most ambitious work, particularly since he passed away at the young age of 37. These frescoes, now known as the Raphael Rooms, span several rooms, including the Sala di Costantino, the Stanza di Eliodoro, the Stanza dell’Incendio del Borgo, and the iconic Stanza della Segnatura, considered the most important.
During this period, Raphael would occasionally slip into the Sistine Chapel to observe Michelangelo’s work, which subtly influenced his own style. It took Raphael and his team of assistants nearly a decade to complete the frescoes. In particular, the Stanza della Segnatura is rich with figures of philosophers, whom Raphael depicted with the faces of his contemporaries, positioning his own era as the heir to the classical age. For instance, he used Leonardo da Vinci’s features for Plato and portrayed his friend Bramante as Euclid, the great architect of the Renaissance. Heraclitus, reclining in distinctive leather boots on the steps, is widely believed to be modeled after Michelangelo.
The Great Michelangelo
Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel are names that resonate worldwide. Each year, approximately five million visitors come to marvel at the Chapel’s awe-inspiring frescoes. The Tuscan-born sculptor was initially invited to design an elaborate tomb for the Pope, a project intended to feature forty statues and be completed within five years. However, this plan evolved into a new commission: painting the Sistine Chapel’s vast ceiling. Spanning over 12,000 square feet, Michelangelo’s monumental work was completed over four years, from 1508 to 1512.
Fun (historical) fact: in the 1560s, Pope Pius IV ordered the addition of fig leaves and loincloths to cover the nudes in Michelangelo’s paintings; these were later removed during restorations in the 1980s, restoring the frescoes to their original state.
Rising to a height of 66 feet from the floor, Michelangelo’s ceiling features more than 300 figures, with nine central scenes from the Book of Genesis, divided into three thematic sections: the creation of the earth, the creation and fall of humankind, and humanity’s trials through the story of Noah.
Among these, The Creation of Adam stands out as one of the most iconic images in art history. In this scene, a nude Adam reaches toward an elderly, white-haired God, their fingers separated by a mere 1.9cm. Some scholars interpret this small gap as symbolising the unattainability of divine perfection by humankind. Interestingly, the symbolism of the ceiling draws heavily from the early church, yet it also incorporates elements reflecting Renaissance ideals.
In 15th-century Italy there was a vivid interest in classical literature and the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle. In the later depiction of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eve, they are shown to take a forbidden fruit from a fig tree and not an apple as so often shown in Western Christian art.
Moving into Modern Day
After numerous rooms and collections dedicated to collections of centuries gone by, in 1973 Pope Paul VI initiated a bold new direction by establishing a section dedicated to modern and contemporary art. The collection has grown exponentially in only fifty years, with a total of approximately 8,000 pieces, offering visitors an overview of 20th century Italian and international art. Highlights include works by prominent artists such as Francis Bacon, Alberto Burri, Marc Chagall, Otto Dix, Lucio Fontana, and many more.
A particular highlight is an entire room devoted to Henri Matisse, inaugurated in 2011 thanks to a generous donation from the artist’s son, Pierre Matisse. In 1947, the French artist began work on the Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence on the French Riviera, his first and only religious project. He designed every aspect of the chapel, from the stained glass and murals to the furnishings and priests’ vestments. Visitors can view three full-size sketches for the vibrant stained glass windows, where green symbolizes the surrounding fields, yellow the sun, and blue the Mediterranean Sea.
As you move from one space to the next you will walk across the Pinecone Courtyard where you cannot miss the striking sculpture at its center: Arnaldo Pomodoro’s impressive Sphere Within Sphere. At the end of your visit, you’ll encounter the stunning spiral staircase, an almost optical illusion. Designed in 1932 by architect Giuseppe Momo, this Art Deco marvel actually consists of two interwoven staircases, ingeniously crafted to streamline visitor flow. It serves as a modern reinterpretation of Renaissance architect Bramante’s original staircase design.
Insider Tips for Visiting
Brace yourself for the crowds, but don’t worry, it is possible to enjoy a smoother experience. To make the most of your visit, purchase your entrance ticket online to avoid unnecessary lines. If possible, plan to go in the late afternoon or evening; the crowds thin out, and a serene atmosphere settles over the museums as dusk approaches. Can’t visit the Vatican Museums in person any time soon? No problem, their website offers virtual tours, including an immersive look at the Sistine Chapel.
[Written November 2024]
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