Sunday, November 27, 2016

Sistine Chapel, 13th Century, High Renaissance



Sistine Chapel

Designed by architects Baccio Pontelli and Giovanni de Dolci, the Sistine Chapel finished construction in 1481 in honor of pope Sixtus IV. Designed in the renaissance style of architecture, Its famous feature is the frescoes by Michelangelo.

Following the Gothic period of architecture. To the Italians, gothic architecture was considered to be uncivilized and brutish, leading to the term “dark ages”. During this time, Italians began to view their history differently. As opposed to the divine continuum, Italians started to view their history as periods of great achievement. They believed they were at the start of a new age. [1]
Their architecture, as opposed to point skyward like gothic architecture, took elements form ancient greek and roman architecture. Emphasis was put on a balance of vertical and horizontal elements, human proportions. This new architecture was visually clear and rationally organized. Designed to fulfill the needs of man, not just the church.[1]

The Sistine Chapel was designed in the Renaissance style of Architecture with an emphasis on horizontality. The building is rectangular in plan, supported by large, load bearing walls. Six, large windows line the north and south sides, equally divided by pilasters.
Chapel Fresco Painting
The interior is infamous for the fresco painting. Painted by Michelangelo, the project took four years to complete. The ceiling depicts scenes from the Book of Genesis. The most famous of which is the creation of Adam. The ceiling also depicts notable families from the bible. The manner in which the painting was done is known fresco. The painting was done on top of wet plaster, allowing the paint to penetrate the plaster. Once dried, the paint hardens with the plaster, becoming part of it. Recently, the ceiling has undergone a restoration, removing dirt and grime, restoring the natural luster.

The exterior façade is made of brick, standing about 68’ tall. The emphasis is on the horizontal. The only vertical element are the clerestory windows. This adds to the belief that buildings did not need to reach the heavens. Giving the chapel a lower profile and human proportions reflected men.
Following the strict rules of form, order, and geometric proportions, the Sistine chapel is a prime example of high renaissance architecture.

[1] Roth Leland M. and Amanda C. Roth Clark, Understanding Architecutre Its Elements, History, and Meaning, Third Edition Westview Press 2014. P.365

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