StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Virtual Tour - the Basilica of St Peter in Rome - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Virtual Tour - the Basilica of St Peter in Rome" discusses that the basilica of St. Peter in Rome is constructed between a cobble-stoned and horse-shoe-shaped pizzazz. It has been designed by famous architects ranging from Bernini to Michelangelo.  …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.9% of users find it useful
Virtual Tour - the Basilica of St Peter in Rome
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Virtual Tour - the Basilica of St Peter in Rome"

Architectural glory includes its absolute size, its unbelievably elaborate decoration, and, most of all, the enveloping golden light that bathes every corner of the church. The central and side naves are packed with altars, monuments to the Popes, statues of the founders, and delicate mosaics. However, there is one part of the architectural form which surpasses all other aspects of the building and adds magnificence to the entire structure. This is created by the apse which is the dominant feature of the work done inside this building. It is the colossal papal altar of Saint Peter in Glory which is crowned by an exceedingly dramatic gild bronze canopy (Lees-Milne 1967). This is to be considered a masterpiece of Baroque energy by the famous Bernini. It was designed to create a holy space above and around the table upon which the Sacrament was laid. The four huge columns were made of bronze twisted and decorated with olive leaves and bees as an emblem of Pope Urban. Showcases with twisted columns were created to show the precious relics of the Basilica such as the spear of Longinus which was said to have pierced Christ’s side.

French Baroque did not follow the same designs as its Italian counterparts. This was evident when Louis XIV held the opinion that the Baroque as it was practiced in Italy was not in the French taste. He proved it by rejecting Bernini's famous proposal for redesigning the Louvre. Thus, the Palace of Versailles proves to be an ardent display of this new classicism which seeped into the traditional Baroque form. It began construction under Louis XIV who aimed to use propaganda and art to glorify the French. The Marble Court, Garden Façade, and Hamlet of Marie Antoinette are just a few buildings that followed this kind of architecture under Louis XIV’s rule. Versailles was chosen as the fixed housing of the sovereign kings in 1682, two years after its completion. It began an ardent display of Baroque architecture which represented a world of civilization and pleasure. A magnificent Hall of Mirrors reflects this form of Baroque art as it allowed the king to bestow his power. Coupled with this were various salons. Amongst them was the Salon of Hercules which was decorated with beautiful ceiling fresco paintings. The Salon of Abundance was similar in its design to a Baroque piece of architecture. This classical form of architecture was further complemented by the construction of extensive gardens which surrounded the area.

The Hampton Court in England plays its role as a palace for King Henry VIII. However, at the end of his reign, he was replaced by various Kings and Queens who continued to live in his lavish apartments. It was during the reign of William and Mary that Sir Christopher Wren was given the commission to redesign the lavish palace. He rebuilt them using a beautiful Baroque style which is prevalent even today. The work done by Sir Wren is evident in the East Front and South Front of the Court. The magnificent East and South fronts were constructed in red brick with Portland stone carvings. The structure’s forms were intended to rival Louis XIV's rebuilding of Versailles.

This building too possesses displays of strength and power to glorify the force of England. Similar to the Versailles it has a great stone centerpiece, the focal point for the design of the East Front. This is surmounted by a massive pediment containing Caius Gabriel Cibber's relief of Hercules triumphing over Envy. Along with this are Corinthian columns that support the pediment and edge the three windows of the Queen's Drawing Room. Lastly, over the middle window is a symbolic composition of a trumpet, scepter, and crown, incorporating William and Mary's monogram. On the Southern is a trophy of arms with the Latin inscription which highlights the Privy Chamber within and is considered the most important ceremonial room in the palace.
Thus all three buildings represent an excellent and superior form of Baroque art that will attract and intrigue individuals for generations to come. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Virtual Tour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words”, n.d.)
Virtual Tour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/architecture/1512406-virtual-tour
(Virtual Tour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
Virtual Tour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words. https://studentshare.org/architecture/1512406-virtual-tour.
“Virtual Tour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/architecture/1512406-virtual-tour.
  • Cited: 1 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Virtual Tour - the Basilica of St Peter in Rome

San Apollinare Nuovo, San Vitale, and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna

This essay is about the Byzantine mosaics of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, San Apollinare in Nuovo and the basilica of San Vitale and how important they were in showing the religious stories from scriptures.... the basilica of San Apollinare Nuovo was built by Theodoric in about the sixth century AD....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

St.Paul's and St.Peter's Baroque Styles

peter's Basilica and St.... The essay explores the variations of "st.... aul's and st.... It is worth noting the significance of the two church buildings: st.... eter's Basilica is the seat of the papacy, while st.... As such, st.... eter's Basilica reflects the Roman Catholic aspirations while st.... In order to fully highlight the variations in Baroque style across Europe and with st....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

The Domes of Deliverance: Two Roman Architectural Grandeurs in Contrast

Most of these architectural grandeurs still stand throughout rome, these buildings are characterized by arches and domes and used as governmental and religious purposes.... Its finest example was the Pantheon, rome.... peter's dome was finished as a double dome is brick, 42.... Designed by Michelangelo, who became chief architect in 1546, st....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Architect History Assignment 2

peter in rome.... Peter's Basilica in Vatican City) in rome is the largest and most famous church in the world.... The major ones were built over the most sacred shrines; the places of the crucifixion and entombment of Christ in Jerusalem and the grave of st.... Nick,1972) “Rising 435 feet above the basilica floor (where the long and It is about 138 feet in diameter.... eneath the massive dome of the basilica is the High Altar....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

The Dome of St. Peter's Basilica

the basilica of st.... Peter's Basilica, otherwise known as Basilica di San Pietro, has been one of the most admired tourist-attractions in rome and the dome of the Basilica is an important monument of historical and architectural significance.... ?? (When in rome, Visit St.... Even though Michelangelo was made the architect in charge of st.... “From distance one can clearly see the dome of st.... ?? (Moffett, 357) Therefore, the dome of st....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Rome: Art and Architecture

Therefore, one can say that the Colosseum served as a political center of power relations and affirmed classical religious belief in rome.... The author of the paper "rome: Art and Architecture" touches upon the architecture of rome.... It is stated that the Colosseum is a classical architecture building....
19 Pages (4750 words) Research Paper

Christian Church Architecture

For this reason, they choose another type of Roman structure to satisfy their needs-the basilica.... Where it was built was believed to where peter, the first apostle and founder of the Roman Christian community, and been buried.... After rioters destroyed the original st.... It initially began as a basilica, and then turned into a domed basilica.... The Early Christian basilica may be compared to the idyllic Christian, with a somber and plain exterior and a glowing and beautiful soul within....
21 Pages (5250 words) Essay

Iconology of St. Peters Rome

Peters Rome" paper describes the basilica of st.... "Iconology of st.... The sixteenth-century rome witnessed a brief period of prosperity that preceded the attack of the Spanish imperial troops in the city.... peter that has captured the attention of both academics and lovers of arts.... When the new basilica was constructed, the old one was still standing....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us