Jeweldine Ladell
New World Encyclopedia reports on the High Renaissance architecture of the Sistine Chapel in understanding its main features. This paper will examine three aspects of the architectural design of the building. The three aspects are as follow; the exterior, interior, and decoration, (New World Encyclopedia, 2007).
The Sistine Chapel is a three story rectangular building. The exterior is plain and simple architecturally and decoratively. Many Medieval and Renaissance churches were designed in this same fashion. There is no front entrances to the chapel only assess is through the internal rooms within the Papal Palace. The lowest floor of the three story building is a strongly constructed vaulted basement with several windows not for the beauty of but mere usefulness and a doorway which led to the exterior court. The floor located above the basement is considered to be the main floor, the chapel. The internal measurements are one hundred thirty four feet long by forty four feet wide. These dimensions are considered to be the same as the Temple of Solomon. The vaulted ceiling of the chapel is sixty eight feet. Within the building there are six tall arched windows down each side and two at either end. Above the vault of the chapel is the third story which is the wardrooms for guards. Surrounding the building at the top of the vault is an open outward passageway, supported by piers protruding from the walls. The roof of the building is constructed with pantile tiles, (New World Encyclopedia, 2007).
The interior of the Sistine Chapel including the ratio between the length, width, and height is 6:2:3. The ceiling is a flattened barrel vault that is transversely cut by smaller vaults located over each window. The original color of the barrel vault was a lustrous blue with gold stars dotted throughout. The pavement is styled with marble and colored stone in a design that reflected the division of the interior. This pavement area also notes the processional path from the main door, used by the Pope on important occasions. A screen made of marble divides the chapel in two. The spaces were made for the members of the Papal Chapel and townsfolk located within the sanctuary near the alter. The screen is crossed by a row of ornate candlestick, once gilt and with a wooden door. The sculptors of the marbled screen also accommodated the clear impression of the choir gallery. During special occasional ceremonies the side walls were draped with a series of tapestry originally designed for the chapel, (New Encyclopedia, 2007).
The walls within the Sistine Chapel are divided into three main tiers. The lower area is decorated with frescoed wall hangings painted in silver and gold. The central tier of the walls has two cycles of paintings which add one to the other. The upper tier is divided into two distinguished areas. The lower area of the window is the painting of the Gallery of Popes. The arched tops of the windows are known as the lunettes which the Ancestors of Christ are painted by Michelangelo. The ceiling painted by Michelangelo has a listing of nine paintings showing God’s Creation of the World, God’s relationship with Mankind and Mankind’s fall from God’s Grace. The large masonry supporting the vault has paintings of the twelve biblical and classical men and women who prophesied the coming of Jesus for the salvation of mankind, (New World Encyclopedia, 2007).
The Poplar Forest, the home of Thomas Jefferson is declared by Bob Downing to be a reflection of Renaissance architecture noted to date since the eighteen hundreds. Downing points out that the Poplar Forest home is an octagon shaped villa. The home is considered to be an architectural gem. The Poplar Forest is grand yet intimate two story Piedmont home. The home is claimed to be airy and light with a modern elucidation and innovation to a classic design. The design of the Poplar Forest was based on the Roman villas of Andrea Palladio, a Renaissance era architect from the sixteenth century. The home features red brick with four stucco covered columns framing the entrance with green shutters trimmed in white. The dining area has cube shaped high ceiling located in the center of the home with a herringbone patterned oak floor. Jefferson’s bedroom has an out of the ordinary alcove bed, with four elongated octagon shaped rooms surrounding the bedroom. The windows in the south facing parlor-library are designed with floor to ceiling windows with lots of glass, (Downing, 2011).
References
Sistine Chapel. (2008, April 2). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 8, 2011 from http://newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Sistine_chapel?oldid=683186
Downing B. (October 9, 2011)Visit Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s other Virginia home. Retrieved October 9, 2011 from http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/ust-
poplarforest_6258232/ust-poplar
References: Sistine Chapel. (2008, April 2). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 8, 2011 from http://newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Sistine_chapel?oldid=683186 Downing B. (October 9, 2011)Visit Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s other Virginia home. Retrieved October 9, 2011 from http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/ust- poplarforest_6258232/ust-poplar
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