Girlawhirl’s lucky that her travels have taken her to Italy many times. She’s been there on business, for family gatherings and even had opportunities to introduce friends to not just La Dolce Vita, but also the always inspiring ancient ruins and grand works of art. She can never get enough. So anytime she hears of splendid artwork coming this way, she makes sure not to miss out on an opportunity to get a glimpse. So this year she's making a point to find herself in one of the three US cities where the Vatican Splendors From Saint Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Swiss Guard exhibition is stopping…
Museums in St. Petersburg, Florida, St. Paul, Minnesota and Cleveland, Ohio will take turns being temporary home to an incredible collection of prized works of art from the Vatican Museum. Relics of St. Peter – including a recreation of the saint’s tomb – Papal election objects, personal belongings of Michelangelo, a look at how he created the famous ceiling frescoes and some of the earliest artistic renderings of Jesus are all included in the touring exhibit.
Last week’s opening of the exhibit at the Florida International Museum marks the debut of one of the largest collection of Vatican art to ever tour North America. The collection was designed to illustrate the Vatican’s impact on history throughout the past 2,000 years, and is timed to coincide with the 500th anniversary of St. Peter’s Basilica, Michelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the establishment of the Papal Swiss Guard.
Girlawhirl can’t wait to get up close and personal with so many works of art and objects of historical significance. She just has to decide which Super Pal to impose on first. Though she thinks Florida at this time of year might be just the ticket.
Click here for more information and exhibit schedules for “Vatican Splendors From Saint Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Swiss Guard.”
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Painting the Sistine Chapel |
Compass of Michelangelo Buonarroti | ||
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One of the exhibition's most dramatic rooms, this recreated environment takes visit scaffolding near the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to expl |
16th century - Iron 80 x 66 x 3 |
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Ring of Pope Pius VI (1775-1799) |
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| 1775 - Gold, brilliant cut diamonds, blue glass |
(Gift from Napoleon Bonaparte) 1804 - Henry Auguste and Nitot, Paris | ||
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3.2 x 3 x 2.6 cm Supreme Pontiff, |
Cask: wood, velvet, silk; crown: gold precious stones; top: emerald, gold
44 x 26 x 26 cm |
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Thanka |
Mosaic Fragment with Image of | ||
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Given by the XIV Dalai Lhama, |
ca. 799, restored by G. B. Calandra in 1625 - Mosaic | ||
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165 x 111 cm |
59.7 x 39.7 x 9 cm |
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Cope of Pope Pius IX |
Cathedra of Saint Peter | ||
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19th century - Red silk, gold leaf and silver thread, gold thread, metal bosses |
20th century, copy of 1705 original - Inlaid oak | ||
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280 x 120 cm (folded) |
140 x 85 x 65 cm |
