Sistine Chapel - Revision history

~2025-32198-32: /* History */

2025-12-26T20:48:57Z

History

← Previous revision		Revision as of 20:48, 26 December 2025
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	Of the present scheme of frescos, the earliest part is that of the side walls. They are divided into three main tiers. The central tier of the walls has two cycles of paintings, which complement each other, ''The Life of Moses'' and ''The Life of Christ''. They were commissioned in 1480 by Pope Sixtus IV and executed by [[Domenico Ghirlandaio]], Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, [[Cosimo Rosselli]] and their workshops. They originally ran all round the walls, but have since been replaced on both end walls.		Of the present scheme of frescos, the earliest part is that of the side walls. They are divided into three main tiers. The central tier of the walls has two cycles of paintings, which complement each other, ''The Life of Moses'' and ''The Life of Christ''. They were commissioned in 1480 by Pope Sixtus IV and executed by [[Domenico Ghirlandaio]], Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, [[Cosimo Rosselli]] and their workshops. They originally ran all round the walls, but have since been replaced on both end walls.

	The project was perhaps supervised by Perugino, who arrived at the chapel prior to the Florentines. It is probable that the commission of Ghirlandaio, Botticelli and Roselli was part of a reconciliation project between [[Lorenzo de' Medici]], the ''de facto'' ruler of [[Republic of Florence\|Florence]], and [[Pope Sixtus IV]]. The Florentines started to work in the Sistine Chapel in the spring of 1481.		The project was perhaps supervised by Perugino, who arrived at the chapel prior to the Florentines. It is probable that the commission of Ghirlandaio, Botticelli and Roselli was part of a reconciliation project between [[Lorenzo de' Medici]], the ''[[de facto]]'' ruler of [[Republic of Florence\|Florence]], and [[Pope Sixtus IV]]. The Florentines started to work in the Sistine Chapel in the spring of 1481.

	Beneath the cycles of ''The Life of Moses'' and ''The Life of Christ'', the lower level of the walls is decorated with frescoed hangings in silver and gold. Above the narrative frescos, the upper tier is divided into two zones. At the lower level of the windows is a ''Gallery of Popes'' painted at the same time as the ''Lives''. Around the arched tops of the windows are areas known as the ''[[lunette]]s'' which contain the ''Ancestors of Christ'', painted by Michelangelo as part of the scheme for the ceiling.		Beneath the cycles of ''The Life of Moses'' and ''The Life of Christ'', the lower level of the walls is decorated with frescoed hangings in silver and gold. Above the narrative frescos, the upper tier is divided into two zones. At the lower level of the windows is a ''Gallery of Popes'' painted at the same time as the ''Lives''. Around the arched tops of the windows are areas known as the ''[[lunette]]s'' which contain the ''Ancestors of Christ'', painted by Michelangelo as part of the scheme for the ceiling.

imported>Mikeycdiamond: /* Papal conclave */

2025-10-07T20:29:44Z

Papal conclave

← Previous revision		Revision as of 20:29, 7 October 2025
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	The Sistine Chapel has maintained its function to the present day and continues to host the important services of the Papal Calendar, unless the Pope is travelling. There is a permanent choir, the [[Sistine Chapel Choir]], for whom much original music has been written, the most famous piece being [[Gregorio Allegri]]'s ''[[Miserere (Allegri)\|Miserere]]''.<ref>[[Abel Stevens\|Stevens, Abel]] & Floy, James. "Allegri's Miserere". ''The National Magazine'', Carlton & Phillip, 1854. 531.</ref>		The Sistine Chapel has maintained its function to the present day and continues to host the important services of the Papal Calendar, unless the Pope is travelling. There is a permanent choir, the [[Sistine Chapel Choir]], for whom much original music has been written, the most famous piece being [[Gregorio Allegri]]'s ''[[Miserere (Allegri)\|Miserere]]''.<ref>[[Abel Stevens\|Stevens, Abel]] & Floy, James. "Allegri's Miserere". ''The National Magazine'', Carlton & Phillip, 1854. 531.</ref>
	=== Papal conclave ===		=== Papal conclave ===
	{{Main\|Papal conclave}}		{{Main\|Papal conclave}}{{See also\|Seagulls at papal events}}
	One of the functions of the Sistine Chapel is as a venue for the election of each successive pope in a conclave of the [[College of Cardinals]]. On the occasion of a conclave, a chimney is installed in the roof of the chapel, from which smoke arises as a signal. If white smoke appears, a new Pope has been elected. If the smoke is black, no candidate has received the required two-thirds vote, and no successful election has yet occurred. The white smoke is created by burning the ballots alone, while the black smoke is created by burning the ballots with wet straw. Chemical additives are also used for both colors.<ref>Saunders, Fr. William P. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20071111005421/http://www.catholicherald.com/saunders/05ws/ws050317.htm The Path to the Papacy]". ''Arlington Catholic Herald'', 17 March 2005. Retrieved on 2 June 2008.</ref>		One of the functions of the Sistine Chapel is as a venue for the election of each successive pope in a conclave of the [[College of Cardinals]]. On the occasion of a conclave, a chimney is installed in the roof of the chapel, from which smoke arises as a signal. If white smoke appears, a new Pope has been elected. If the smoke is black, no candidate has received the required two-thirds vote, and no successful election has yet occurred. The white smoke is created by burning the ballots alone, while the black smoke is created by burning the ballots with wet straw. Chemical additives are also used for both colors.<ref>Saunders, Fr. William P. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20071111005421/http://www.catholicherald.com/saunders/05ws/ws050317.htm The Path to the Papacy]". ''Arlington Catholic Herald'', 17 March 2005. Retrieved on 2 June 2008.</ref>

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	Canopies for each cardinal-elector were once used during conclaves—a sign of equal dignity. After the new Pope accepted his election, he would give his new name; at this time, the other Cardinals would tug on a rope attached to their seats to lower their canopies. Until reforms instituted by [[Pope Pius X\|Pius X]], the canopies were of different colours to designate which cardinals had been appointed by which Pope. [[Pope Paul VI\|Paul VI]] abolished the canopies altogether, since, under his papacy, the population of the College of Cardinals had increased so much to the point that they would need to be seated in rows of two against the walls, making the canopies obstruct the view of the cardinals in the back row. Ahead of a conclave taking place to preserve the integrity of the marble floor on the Sistine Chapel, carpenters install a slightly elevated wooden floor alongside a wooden ramp in the entrance for those Cardinals who for one reason or another need to be transported in a wheelchair. Underneath the raised floor is placed electronic signal jamming equipment, to prevent the sending of messages into or out of the conclave, thus protecting its secrecy.		Canopies for each cardinal-elector were once used during conclaves—a sign of equal dignity. After the new Pope accepted his election, he would give his new name; at this time, the other Cardinals would tug on a rope attached to their seats to lower their canopies. Until reforms instituted by [[Pope Pius X\|Pius X]], the canopies were of different colours to designate which cardinals had been appointed by which Pope. [[Pope Paul VI\|Paul VI]] abolished the canopies altogether, since, under his papacy, the population of the College of Cardinals had increased so much to the point that they would need to be seated in rows of two against the walls, making the canopies obstruct the view of the cardinals in the back row. Ahead of a conclave taking place to preserve the integrity of the marble floor on the Sistine Chapel, carpenters install a slightly elevated wooden floor alongside a wooden ramp in the entrance for those Cardinals who for one reason or another need to be transported in a wheelchair. Underneath the raised floor is placed electronic signal jamming equipment, to prevent the sending of messages into or out of the conclave, thus protecting its secrecy.

			[[Seagulls]] have been seen at the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the 2013 and 2025 conclave, the former being called religious symbolism. The seagulls received attention from social media.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2013-03-13 \|title=Sistine Sea Gull: Joke or symbolism? - CBS News \|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sistine-sea-gull-joke-or-symbolism/ \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=www.cbsnews.com \|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Cross \|first=Greta \|title=Moments before the white smoke, seagulls were stealing the show during papal conclave \|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/05/07/seagulls-papal-conclave-livestream/83497406007/ \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=USA TODAY \|language=en-US}}</ref>

	== Architecture ==		== Architecture ==
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	''The Last Judgement'' was painted by Michelangelo from 1535 to 1541, between two important historic events: the Sack of Rome by mercenary forces of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] in 1527, and the [[Council of Trent]] which commenced in 1545. The work was designed on a grand scale, and spans the entire wall behind the altar of the Sistine Chapel. The painting depicts the second coming of Christ on the [[Last Judgment\|Day of Judgment]] as described in the [[Revelation of John]], Chapter 20. High on the wall is the heroic figure of Christ, with the saints clustered in groups around him. At the bottom left of the painting the dead are raised from their graves and ascend to be judged. To the right are those who are assigned to [[Hell]] and are dragged down by demons.		''The Last Judgement'' was painted by Michelangelo from 1535 to 1541, between two important historic events: the Sack of Rome by mercenary forces of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] in 1527, and the [[Council of Trent]] which commenced in 1545. The work was designed on a grand scale, and spans the entire wall behind the altar of the Sistine Chapel. The painting depicts the second coming of Christ on the [[Last Judgment\|Day of Judgment]] as described in the [[Revelation of John]], Chapter 20. High on the wall is the heroic figure of Christ, with the saints clustered in groups around him. At the bottom left of the painting the dead are raised from their graves and ascend to be judged. To the right are those who are assigned to [[Hell]] and are dragged down by demons.

	''The Last Judgement'' was an object of a bitter dispute between [[Pope Paul IV\|Cardinal Carafa]] and Michelangelo. Because he depicted naked figures, the artist was accused of immorality and obscenity. A censorship campaign (known as the "Fig-Leaf Campaign") was organized by Carafa and Monsignor Sernini ([[Mantua]]'s ambassador) to remove the frescoes. From this campaign drew support for the more natural state of the figures. In response, phallic imagery began permeating throughout Vatican City, beginning the trend of the crude drawings in places such as in graffiti art in bathrooms, textbooks, and other public places to be easily found. This trend continues to the present day.		''The Last Judgement'' was an object of a bitter dispute between [[Pope Paul IV\|Cardinal Carafa]] and Michelangelo. Because he depicted naked figures, the artist was accused of immorality and obscenity. A censorship campaign (known as the "Fig-Leaf Campaign") was organized by Carafa and Monsignor Sernini ([[Mantua]]'s ambassador) to remove the frescoes. From this campaign drew support for the more natural state of the figures. In response, phallic imagery began permeating throughout Vatican City, beginning the trend of the crude drawings in places such as in graffiti art in bathrooms, textbooks, and other public places to be easily found.{{fact\|date=July 2025}} This trend continues to the present day.

	The Pope's Master of Ceremonies [[Biagio da Cesena]] said "it was most disgraceful that in so sacred a place there should have been depicted all those nude figures, exposing themselves so shamefully, and that it was no work for a papal chapel but rather for the public baths and taverns."<ref>{{Harvnb\|Vasari\|1987\|p=379}}</ref> In response Michelangelo worked da Cesena's semblance into the scene as [[Minos]], judge of the underworld. It is said that when he complained to the Pope, the pontiff responded that his jurisdiction did not extend to hell, so the portrait would have to remain. Michelangelo also painted his own portrait, on the flayed skin held by [[St. Bartholomew]].		The Pope's Master of Ceremonies [[Biagio da Cesena]] said "it was most disgraceful that in so sacred a place there should have been depicted all those nude figures, exposing themselves so shamefully, and that it was no work for a papal chapel but rather for the public baths and taverns."<ref>{{Harvnb\|Vasari\|1987\|p=379}}</ref> In response Michelangelo worked da Cesena's semblance into the scene as [[Minos]], judge of the underworld. It is said that when he complained to the Pope, the pontiff responded that his jurisdiction did not extend to hell, so the portrait would have to remain. Michelangelo also painted his own portrait, on the flayed skin held by [[St. Bartholomew]].
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	* [http://issuu.com/akenpapers/docs/devilish_chapel__eng_ The Devilish Chapel of Michelangelo]		* [http://issuu.com/akenpapers/docs/devilish_chapel__eng_ The Devilish Chapel of Michelangelo]
	* [http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/tours/sistina/ Web Gallery of Art: Visit to the Sistine Chapel in Vatican]		* [http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/tours/sistina/ Web Gallery of Art: Visit to the Sistine Chapel in Vatican]
	* [~~http~~://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/560315.stm BBC News: Sistine Chapel Restored (1999)]		* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/560315.stm BBC News: Sistine Chapel Restored (1999)]
	* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050425004311/http://www.arches.uga.edu/~msopal29/ The Restoration of the Sistine Chapel: Right or Wrong?]		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050425004311/http://www.arches.uga.edu/~msopal29/ The Restoration of the Sistine Chapel: Right or Wrong?]
	* [https://web.archive.org/web/19970124121504/http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sistine/0-Tour.html www.christusrex.org Capella Sistina] Master Plan & Pictures		* [https://web.archive.org/web/19970124121504/http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sistine/0-Tour.html www.christusrex.org Capella Sistina] Master Plan & Pictures

2600:4041:6703:CA00:34F4:2FB0:64FD:7CC: /* Papal conclave */

2025-06-24T17:43:52Z

Papal conclave

← Previous revision		Revision as of 17:43, 24 June 2025
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	The conclave also provided for the cardinals a space in which they could hear mass, and in which they could eat, sleep, and pass time attended by servants. From 1455, conclaves have been held at the [[Vatican Palace]]; until the [[Western Schism\|Great Schism]], they were held at the [[Dominican Order\|Dominican]] convent of [[Santa Maria sopra Minerva]].<ref>{{Citation \|last=Chambers \|first=D. S. \|year=1978 \|title=Papal Conclaves and Prophetic Mystery in the Sistine Chapel \|journal=Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes \|volume=41 \|pages=322–326 \|doi=10.2307/750878 \|publisher=The Warburg Institute \|postscript=. \|jstor=750878\|s2cid=195032159 }}</ref> Since 1996, [[John Paul II]]'s [[Apostolic Constitution]] ''[[Universi Dominici gregis]]'' requires the cardinals to be lodged at the [[Domus Sanctae Marthae]] during a papal conclave, but to continue to vote in the Sistine Chapel.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ewtn.com/HolySee/Interregnum/domus.asp\|title=Interesting Conclave Facts\|work=ewtn.com\|access-date=9 August 2011\|archive-date=12 July 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712081751/http://www.ewtn.com/HolySee/Interregnum/domus.asp\|url-status=live}}</ref>		The conclave also provided for the cardinals a space in which they could hear mass, and in which they could eat, sleep, and pass time attended by servants. From 1455, conclaves have been held at the [[Vatican Palace]]; until the [[Western Schism\|Great Schism]], they were held at the [[Dominican Order\|Dominican]] convent of [[Santa Maria sopra Minerva]].<ref>{{Citation \|last=Chambers \|first=D. S. \|year=1978 \|title=Papal Conclaves and Prophetic Mystery in the Sistine Chapel \|journal=Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes \|volume=41 \|pages=322–326 \|doi=10.2307/750878 \|publisher=The Warburg Institute \|postscript=. \|jstor=750878\|s2cid=195032159 }}</ref> Since 1996, [[John Paul II]]'s [[Apostolic Constitution]] ''[[Universi Dominici gregis]]'' requires the cardinals to be lodged at the [[Domus Sanctae Marthae]] during a papal conclave, but to continue to vote in the Sistine Chapel.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ewtn.com/HolySee/Interregnum/domus.asp\|title=Interesting Conclave Facts\|work=ewtn.com\|access-date=9 August 2011\|archive-date=12 July 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712081751/http://www.ewtn.com/HolySee/Interregnum/domus.asp\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	Canopies for each cardinal-elector were once used during conclaves—a sign of equal dignity. After the new Pope accepted his election, he would give his new name; at this time, the other Cardinals would tug on a rope attached to their seats to lower their canopies. Until reforms instituted by [[Pope Pius X\|Pius X]], the canopies were of different colours to designate which cardinals had been appointed by which Pope. [[Pope Paul VI\|Paul VI]] abolished the canopies altogether, since, under his papacy, the population of the College of Cardinals had increased so much to the point that they would need to be seated in rows of two against the walls, making the canopies obstruct the view of the cardinals in the back row. Ahead of a conclave taking place to preserve the integrity of the marble floor on the Sistine Chapel, carpenters install a slightly elevated wooden floor alongside a wooden ramp in the entrance for those Cardinals who for one reason or another need to be transported in a wheelchair.		Canopies for each cardinal-elector were once used during conclaves—a sign of equal dignity. After the new Pope accepted his election, he would give his new name; at this time, the other Cardinals would tug on a rope attached to their seats to lower their canopies. Until reforms instituted by [[Pope Pius X\|Pius X]], the canopies were of different colours to designate which cardinals had been appointed by which Pope. [[Pope Paul VI\|Paul VI]] abolished the canopies altogether, since, under his papacy, the population of the College of Cardinals had increased so much to the point that they would need to be seated in rows of two against the walls, making the canopies obstruct the view of the cardinals in the back row. Ahead of a conclave taking place to preserve the integrity of the marble floor on the Sistine Chapel, carpenters install a slightly elevated wooden floor alongside a wooden ramp in the entrance for those Cardinals who for one reason or another need to be transported in a wheelchair. Underneath the raised floor is placed electronic signal jamming equipment, to prevent the sending of messages into or out of the conclave, thus protecting its secrecy.

	== Architecture ==		== Architecture ==

imported>OAbot: Open access bot: url-access updated in citation with #oabot.

2025-05-25T02:42:18Z

Open access bot: url-access updated in citation with #oabot.

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