Musei Vaticani

The Sistine Chapel and other frescoes in the Musei Vaticani illustrate the influence the Christian church had over art. It was decorated with Renaissance style art. Michelangelo’s fresco in the Sistine Chapel brought back to Roman art the drama of Greek art but with Christian themes. His use of mannerism signifies a shift, both artistic and literal, to valuing elegance and idealism. This is similar to the Greek value of idealism that was present in much of the ancient Roman art. Michelangelo’s genius design of the Sistine Chapel is awe-inspiring and was designed to evoke a response from its viewers. The Sistine Chapel is incredible and neither words nor pictures cannot do it justice. When it was originally painted, one can only imagine the response it would have gotten from people who had no idea of what was behind the doors to the chapel. (Photo found online)

School of Athens by Raphael can be found in the Musei Vaticani. It was completed in 1511 AD. It depicts many famous Greek philosophers. This painting illustrates the connection between Rome and Greece in both art and ideas. Raphael’s painting illustrates his belief that philosophy connects people across both time and space and how philosophy is at the center of life. This fresco shows the Hellenized viewpoints of Raphael and other Romans at the time. It also illustrates the connection between Christian and pagan ideas and art. These frescoes exemplify the Italian Renaissance and what it means for both art and ideas.