Silence in the sistene chapel and the Raphael Tapestries

[Roseeurekacross]

Putting this thread here in respect to Vatican rules.

Two art questions in respect to the Vatican and Sacred art.

The Raphael Tapestries. Has anyone been fortunate enough to see them on display in the Chapel? The Vatican requests silence through the Sistene Chapel when they are on display due to noise damage to them. I imagine that rule is in place daily though.

If you have seen them did you feel silence in viewing had more impact, or was it still really noisy and that gave a different impact in seeing them.
I understand they are not on permanent display.

Second question. I am reading a paper by Father Mantovani on art. It’s a lovely piece on the role of art in connecting us to God. Father raises a point about art having been lost a bit these days to function. We are losing the fine art aesthetic where the art glorifies God, and instead becomes functional and creates artist celebrity.

So if you have been fortunate enough to see the great fine art , sacred art, classic art of the Vatican and Europe, Would you say there is something to art becoming secular, and losing its way. Modern displayed art.
St John Paul11 and Pope Paul v1 of the Vat II council has beautiful words to say on the interaction of art and people.

St John Paul11 was an artist himself. Father Mantovani is a Salesian Priest who is also a Professor at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome

 

[Horton]

Putting this thread here in respect to Vatican rules.

Two art questions in respect to the Vatican and Sacred art.

The Raphael Tapestries. Has anyone been fortunate enough to see them on display in the Chapel? The Vatican requests silence through the Sistene Chapel when they are on display due to noise damage to them. I imagine that rule is in place daily though.

If you have seen them did you feel silence in viewing had more impact, or was it still really noisy and that gave a different impact in seeing them.
I understand they are not on permanent display.

Second question. I am reading a paper by Father Mantovani on art. It’s a lovely piece on the role of art in connecting us to God. Father raises a point about art having been lost a bit these days to function. We are losing the fine art aesthetic where the art glorifies God, and instead becomes functional and creates artist celebrity.

So if you have been fortunate enough to see the great fine art , sacred art, classic art of the Vatican and Europe, Would you say there is something to art becoming secular, and losing its way. Modern displayed art.
St John Paul11 and Pope Paul v1 of the Vat II council has beautiful words to say on the interaction of art and people.

St John Paul11 was an artist himself. Father Mantovani is a Salesian Priest who is also a Professor at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome

I have visited the Sistine Chapel although not when the Raphael Tapestries were on display. Silence is required in the Sistine Chapel. Photography is also not allowed. Unfortunately there are so many who disregard these rules. It was so sad to see those who talked loudly while in there and taking pictures regardless of the staff’s request they stop. The chatter was distracting while trying to take in the beauty of the art.

During that same trip I was able to see incredible art in many cities in Italy. It can be overwhelming at times to just take it in. No photograph can evoke the same feeling as seeing the real thing.

 

[Irishmom2]

OP, I am putting this here from another thread because I thought you might enjoy watching it. ted.com/talks/elizabeth_lev_the_unheard_story_of_the_sistine_chapel

 

[EricF]

OP, I am putting this here from another thread because I thought you might enjoy watching it. ted.com/talks/elizabeth_lev_the_unheard_story_of_the_sistine_chapel

Thanks. I have seen that speech. When we were in Florence last Fall, we were fortunate to be guided through the Uffizi by an art historian. The OP is right, it can be overwhelming.

 

[RCbkr]

My memory of visiting the Sistine Chapel is of hearing the constant “shhhh” and “no photo” from those charged with trying to keep the noise down and the cameras in check. I think it would be a wonderful site to see on a private visit, but elbow to elbow crowds (Ash Wednesday) along with the “shhh” and “no photo” made it fairly unpleasant.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Thanks so much for your responses, and theTED talk!

In Australia, its such a foreign concept, historical scholarship of Art and how viewing sacred art or places can be so profound. Even the reason for art.

 

[phil_at_dayboro]

I have been extremely lucky to have walked through the Vatican plus the most magnificent cathedrals of Rome & Europe , , silence should be observed for not only respect of where you are , but also through common sense , if everyone was talking like kids in a schoolyard then you’d get a headache because the noise echo through the many corridors,
I also walked through some country church’s which were like mini Cathedrals ,
It was a most awesome spiritual experience for which I am eternally grateful ,

Art changes through the decades, we may not always enjoy as the new age artist may wish

 

[friardchips]

Watch ‘The Agony and the Ecstasy’.

Plenty of historical knowledge contained in that film.

 

[tee_eff_em]

[ASIDE]

Putting this thread here in respect to Vatican rules.

For a moment, I thought the Holy See had imposed new rules for the CAF site!

(Not that such rules might not be welcomed)

[/ASIDE]


tee

 

[exnihilo]

I think it is obvious art (including architecture) was something that strived to bring us closer to God. Men would spend whole lifetimes or even many lifetimes creating it. The modern work is purely functional. It reflects modern life. We exist merely to work and have some small pleasures before we die.

My memory of visiting the Sistine Chapel is of hearing the constant “shhhh” and “no photo” from those charged with trying to keep the noise down and the cameras in check. I think it would be a wonderful site to see on a private visit, but elbow to elbow crowds (Ash Wednesday) along with the “shhh” and “no photo” made it fairly unpleasant.

This was my experience. I was overwhelmed by the amount of art I experienced on the path through the museum to the chapel. By the time I got to the chapel I was physical and mentally tired. Once in the chapel was very crowded. As much as I had longed to see the chapel I ended up not spending much time there at all. If I had the opportunity to do over I would have skipped past some of the earlier art. Better yet if I could have broken it up into a couple of trips it would have been better.