AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

TCP – 1 Michelangelo’s Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

J.LAUER HUMA 1302-007 #13622

PHILIP ROBINSON

9/24/2012

Time Capsule Project 1

Michelangelo’s work on the Dome at St. Peter’s was a return to the former grandeur of Greek and Roman work brought forth during the renaissance period of classical humanism focusing on Christian and classical subjects. Michelangelo worked on St. Peter’s Basilica from 1546 until his death in 1564. At the time of the domes commission, wealthy merchants, and people of stature had been commissioning grand estates and pieces of art to decorate them. The church decided to follow in the footsteps of their patrons and commission a jewel for the Basilica. The trend was quite simple, the bigger and more elaborate the better. There are many facets of this particular building that are fascinating, however for this paper I will be focusing on the architectural facet.<!--more-->

Given the backdrop of the plague and its decimating effect on civilization and the lack of qualified artisans to rebuild, maintain, and improve basic societal infrastructure; one can imagine the rarity of skilled individuals capable of designing and building a dome of this magnitude . While sharing design aspects with the Pantheon of the Greek and Roman period, this renaissance period remodel is much larger. The interior of Michelangelo’s Dome of St. of St Peter’s is absolutely stunning. There are many artistic features of the interior that add considerable weight reinforcement necessities with regard to structural concerns. “The great dome soars above the altar and the baldacchino, sumptuously embellished with mosaic and stucco ornaments. It is supported by four structural piers with a perimeter of 71 m. and a height of 120 m. from the ground to the roof of the lantern. With the four Evangelists that are portrayed in medallions with a diameter of 8.5 m. The gigantic black letters (2 m. high) of this text on a gold background are lit by the light from 16 large windows, typical of Michelangelo's style, which punctuate the drum. Above the windows, the dome is divided into sixteen ribs and as many segments, decorated by majestic figures on six ascending concentric levels. Starting at the bottom the figures portray: 1. busts of the 16 popes buried in the basilica; 2. majestic figures of Christ, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist and various Apostles;3. in the rectangular frames, angels bearing the instruments of Jesus' Passion; 4. the faces of cherubim and seraphim in circular medallions; 5. angels, the custodians of St. Peter's tomb; 6. additional faces of winged angels.
Many artists worked on these decorations. Clement VIII commissioned Giuseppe Cesari, known as Cavalier d'Arpino (1568-1640) to carry out the upper part of the decoration. He prepared the cartoons from 1603 to 1612. His drawings were simultaneously transposed into mosaic by the best mosaic artists of the period. ”
While other domes have been constructed had been constructed previously in and around Italy, I believe this particular piece stands out due to the sheer enormity and grandiosity of the structural modeling needed to support the dome that now crowns what was the Basilica. “To give a reference point: US Capitol-96ft, The Pantheon-142ft, and St Peter’s-138ft. ” Michelangelo’s St. Peter’s Dome in Rome and Brunelleschi’s Dome in Florence share many structural ideas. However, there are some obvious differences in height, diameter, and internal style. Both artists have drawn from the same basic structural design. Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence was the largest domed structure in Italy at 50 meters in diameter and 90 meters in height; finished post mortem 1473 . Then Michelangelo’s dome at the Basilica in Rome now stands at an impressive 71 meters in diameter and 120 meters in height finished post mortem 1590 . The largest differences between these two goliaths of humanistic engineering and artistic spirits would be the method of work that went into the project and the beauty that it portrays. While Brunelleschi focused on painting and architectural details, Michelangelo also incorporated ornate sculpture in his expression.

I think that those inclined to the religious statements of the work received it well. “Michelangelo wanted people's first reaction as they walked into the dome is astonishment. People may be overwhelmed to see the amount of light that appears at the top of the dome and will lead and draw the audience's attention slowly toward the dome. However, the sensation must only last in an instant, because he didn't want people to feel secluded from the massiveness of the dome, rather be a part of the dimension of pure contemplation. ”

In the current view I believe that it is thought of as a symbol that might unify the people of the Catholic and Christian faiths. I think a lot of people today respect the amount of work that went into the project and the beauty that it portrays. I also believe that today people are less unified by a symbol of faith such as the Basilica due to the intelligence level of the populace and the availability of information on other faiths. It is also my belief that this and other great works with religious design are meant to inspire awe, respect, power, and control.

Why should Michelangelo’s Dome of St Peter’s be preserved in a time capsule? As an architectural drafting major, the part that I found most meaningful was the marriage of structure and art. It is just as beautiful on the outside as on the inside. The architectural statements of the time were amazing to me. This piece of history serves as an inspiration of faith for some, and a reminder of the past for others. I believe that what this piece and others like it are telling future generations is to appreciate the piece of art in front of you, but understand the roots from whence it came. Great achievements can be achieved by man when they focus on the task. Whatever the reason one ultimately decides on, the important piece is to remember.