Roman holiday - 5
 The building complex which houses the ‘Sistine Chapel’ has a unique collection of art and painting found nowhere else in the world. The treasure trove has been safeguarded for posterity. Originally built for Renaissance popes, the building complex had later additions and the most important is the world renowned ‘Sistine Chapel’.
This is the main chapel in the Vatican Palace named ‘Cappella Sistina’ after its founder Pope Sisitus IV. Its massive walls were frescoed by the greatest and finest artists the world has ever known Michelangelo, Botericelli and Petrugino. The paintings on the side walls depict episodes from the lives of Moses and Christ. The walls are festooned with works of Michelangelo and Raphael. ‘The Last Judgment’, a great work of art by Michelangelo, adorns the great altar wall.
‘The Last Judgment’ is considered a masterpiece – it depicts the souls of the dead rising up to face the wrath of God, a subject barely used for altar decoration.
As was customary at that time, each fresco contains a series of scenes locked thematically to the central episode. Hidden meanings and symbols connect each painting with its counterpart on the opposite wall and there are many allusions to contemporary events.
 Michelangelo also did the fresco of the chapel’s ceiling. He worked alone, refusing assistance. He painted scenes from the Old Testament. The creation of Adam and Eve; the creation of Sun & Moon; and the Deluge and the ‘Delphic Sibyl’. The painting of ‘Delphic Sibyl’, which shows the beautiful prophet of the Greek Oracle of Delphi is world famous. We are attracted by her innocent face and expectant eyes. Her charming face attracts the tourists.
While exploring the Vatican’s collection, I discovered that its treasures are its Greek and Roman antiquities. In the Pina Goteca (art gallery), we find an exquisite collection of paintings of Raphael, Titian and Leonardo-da-Vinci. The paintings of Raphael in a specially woven carpets is a connoisseur’s delight. A big hall contains wonderful paintings of the Raphael. Madonna of Foligino and Transfiguration are worth mentioning. There are eight tapestries made to his designs. ‘Transfiguration’ was Raphael’s last painting. He has depicted Christ taking three of the apostles to a mountain top, where He appeared to them in ‘Divine Glory’. His imagination and innovative ideas are highlighted in his ‘Master Strokes’.
Raphael’s frescoes bring to limelight the religious and philosophical ideals of Renaissance. Raphael’s assistants also excelled in painting. Like master, like student! The long corridors of the ‘Sistine Chapel’ are adorned with works of the eminent painters. We were dumbfounded to view the best collections in the world. The Vatican museums contain some exemplary works of art and add to the existing glory and grandeur of the ‘Vatican’.
The place can be reached by trams and buses. The ubiquitous tram is the lifeline of Rome and is an added attraction to the Romantic Rome and the ‘Wonderful Vatican’.
Usha Raja
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