Raphael's tapestries return to the walls of the Sistine Chapel

The first few tapestries were completed in December 1519, and brought to the chapel immediately thereafter. However, Raphael died in the months following and never got to see the complete collection.

By ZACHARY KEYSER
A tapestry designed by Renaissance artist Raphael is installed on a lower wall of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican as part of celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of his death (photo credit: REUTERS)
A tapestry designed by Renaissance artist Raphael is installed on a lower wall of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican as part of celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of his death
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Ten breathtaking tapestries commissioned by High Renaissance artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, known as Raphael, have been returned to the Sistine Chapel after centuries of separation.
The tapestries are being brought to the famous chapel in Vatican City to commemorate the anniversary of Raphael's death. They are normally housed on rotation in the "Raphael Room" at the Vatican Museum, and have not been removed from the facility in centuries.
Referred to informally as the Raphael Cartoons, the extravagant tapestries depict the lives of Saints Peter and Paul - painted by Raphael and then sent to Brussels to be woven into tapestries by master weaver Pieter van Aulst.
Tapestry "Christ's charge to Peter" designed by Renaissance artist Raphael is on display on a lower wall of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican
Tapestry "Christ's charge to Peter" designed by Renaissance artist Raphael is on display on a lower wall of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican
Pope Leo X set Raphael with the task of the designing the tapestries for the walls of Apostolic Palace chapel in 1515, shortly after Michelangelo finished painting the ceiling, the main feature of the Sistine Chapel, to give the walls a more lively look from the barren appearance they initially portrayed.
The first few tapestries were completed in December 1519, and brought to the chapel immediately thereafter. However, Raphael died a few months later and never got to see the complete collection displayed together.
"We wanted, for the celebration of 500 years since Raphael's death, to give the opportunity to share the beauty that is represented by the tapestry together in this beautiful, universal place that is the Sistine Chapel," said Barbara Jatta, director of the Vatican Museums, according to CNN.
Although Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci were rivals, vying for the commissions offered by the Vatican, they form the traditional trinity of great masters and architects of the High Renaissance period.
Just two years ago the Vatican found two paintings by Raphael, that were believed to have been lost centuries ago, hidden in a room of the museum after being missing for nearly 500 years.

Stay updated with the latest news!

Subscribe to The Jerusalem Post Newsletter

Subscribe Now
Art connoisseurs believe that these are the last two paintings he created before his early death in 1520 at just 37 of age.
The works were meant to be displayed throughout the private apartment of Pope Julius II. Raphael completed three rooms of the apartment; the two paintings were intended to decorate the fourth and largest room, but Raphael died before he could complete the works.
Therefore, other artists were commissioned to finish the room and Raphael's two painting were stored and forgotten in the museum room.
Despite dying young, Raphael left a large body of work, a good portion of which is displayed at the Vatican. As a sign of respect, four rooms of the palace are dedicated strictly to his work, showing how revered and influential the High Renaissance master was.


Related Tags
Pope
painting
vatican