St. Peter's Basilica

Perspective shot of St.Peter's Basilica

Located in the Vatican City of Rome, St. Peter’s Basilica symbolizes the power of the Church. Dedicated to Peter [the apostle] the first pope, the Basilica houses St.Peter’s tomb along with many other popes. The basilica in the first century AD was used for civic events and as a cemetary. Originally, the basilica was founded by Emperor Constantine (324) but was eventually rebuilt in the 16th Century. Planned by Pope Nicholas V, the Basilica’s construction plan, Fabbrica di San Pietro was operated by several people throughout history, all under supervision of the Church or the current ruler at the time. Bernardo Rossellino (1452), Giuliano da Sangallo (1470), Julius II & Donato Bramante (1506), Fra Giovanni Giocondo (1514), Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, Baldassarre Peruzzi & Andrea Sansovino (1520), Paul III & Antonio da Sangallo the Younger (1534-49), Michelangelo (1546), Pirro Ligorio & Giacomo da Vignola (1564), Pirro Ligorio, Giacomo da Vignola, Gregory XIII & Giacomo della Porta (1572-85), Sixtus V (1585-90), Gregory XIV (1590-91), Clement VIII (1592-1605), Paul V (1605-21) and finally, Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1637).

Central nave forcing perspective to the tomb
The Basilica was influenced heavily by fine arts. Architecture, sculpture, and painting contributed to the aesthetics of the building. It was crucial that the aesthetic value of the architecture dominated the user's experience so the visual moments are smothered with eye-catching elements. Stained glass reflecting Gothic cathedrals, tapestry art & mural painting nodding to the Sistine Chapel, illuminated manuscripts and miniature paintings accented with religious art all make a visual presence within the building. Scale was a major factor in the visual experience, as the grandeur and awe was meant to belittle those that experience the church. It helped to give life to the art and These aspects of the Basilica further influence the power of the Christian Church. The Church has two basic functions; basilica and the central plan. Donato Bramante proposed the original central plan design that was kept true until as-built form. At over 350 feet long, the basilica was given a crucifix form (Greek/Latin cross) to emphasize the central core which was enclosed above by an enormous dome in the center and smaller domes radiating towards the perimeter. The geometrically equidistant layout served a practical, efficient purpose. The use of the circle in plan emphasized the ideology of eternal nature & perfection; with no beginning and end, the idea of “forever” and concentric form hinted at a relationship with astrology. Although the use of the central plan was meant to emphasize the center burial site, the actual product resulted in a longer nave.

Citations:
Saint Peter's Basilica (Rome) (1506-1626) , http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/saint-peters-basilica.htm
Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, "Saint Peter’s Basilica," in Smarthistory, August 9, 2015, accessed March 15, 2018, https://smarthistory.org/st-peters-basilica/.
Christina Boggs, St. Peter's Basilica in Rome: Architecture & History, https://study.com/academy/lesson/st-peters-basilica-in-rome-architecture-history-quiz.html

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