Baroque St. Peters Flashcards
Piazza of St. Peter’s
Date: began 1656
Architect: Bernini
Information: The obelisk becomes the reason of the design for the oval shape of the piazza. There are fountains on each side of the obelisk which is not in the exact center. The coat of arms of the Chigi family is on the colonnades. The columns are aligned at exactly one point. The colonnades have three aisles. The middle use to be used as a vehicle lane while the outer two were for pedestrians. They act as warming arms to embrace the church. They were supposed to be continues around the entire piazza but the last part was never completed. The concept of the “complex” created between the piazza and church is considered very baroque.
Baroque St. Peters - Cathedra (throne)
Date: 1657 – 1666
Architect: Bernini
Location: Apse of St. Peters
Information: The throne was sculpted in guilt bronze and is the seat of the bishop. Inside the chair is a wooden throne which is being protected. It includes the 4 bronze statues who are St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Athenasius. The window with the dove and rays of light was created above the chair and built over the existing window. Angels are all around it.
Baroque St. Peters - Baldacchino
Date: 1624 – 1633
Architect: Bernini
Information: Bronze canopy over tomb. There is physical distance between the Baldacchino and the throne but from afar look integrated. The base of the canopy is 4 spiraling solomonic columns cast in bronze. It was commissioned by pope Urban the 8th and therefore includes Barberini bees. It is the same height as the Palazzo Farnesi.
Baroque St. Peters - Crossing Niches
Date: 1629 – 1638
Architect: Bernini
Information: Statues in the crossing niches that depict the saints whose relics are within St. Peters. include St. Helen holding the cross (Mother of Constantine), St. Veronica holding a handkerchief that was used to the wipe the face of Christ, St. Andrew who is supposed to be holding his head, and St. Longinus holding the spear that pierced Jesus.
Baroque St. Peters - Scala Regia
Date: 1663 – 1666
Architect: Bernini
Information: Was originally built by Sangallo the Younger but restored by Bernini. It is built in the residual space, a thin sliver between the Palazzo and the Basilica. There is an equestrian statues of Constantine placed at the base in the axial view from the loggia. The walls become narrow as the columns stay linear. Has a barrel vaulted colonnade, and its original exit is from the museum.
Baroque St. Peters - Facade
Date: 1608
Architect: Maderno
- three tiers
- front facing the city
- engraved with Pope Paul V name
- inscription is not as wide as the facade because the outer part of facade had not been designed yet
- Bernini is the architect when facade towers are built after Maderno dies
- originally had two bell tower which were not executed
- created attic story
- large monolithic Corinthian columns separate bays and entrances
Baroque St. Peters - Tomb of Urban 8th and Alexander 7th
Dates: varry
Architect: Bernini
Urban 8th tomb – 1628 – 1647
Alexander 7th tomb – 1671 – 1678
