Thanks for this Oliver! I agree with Christina. This has a very reverential ambiance to it, which helps the experience. When you see the real thing, the place is packed with tourists. The crowds get loud and have to be admonished to keep quiet, (it is a functioning place of worship). So there's this weird five-minute cycle of the din growing and reaching a crescendo, then stopping. Then it starts all over again. Pretty distractive. One thing you get from being there, is a better sense of what the room looked like before it was painted, which is essentially a void, grey canvas. Everything that looks like architectural detail or moulding, is trompe l'oeil fakery.
I'd love to see this same thing done with Cincinnati's Union Terminal. No single picture can capture the effect of that rotunda.
I was amazed at how small the chapel actually was when I visited.
Hmmm...I guess I am going to have to create a google account for commenting here since I no longer use my wordpress.com blog and there isn't a guest option.
Chuck, that's what I remember also - sardine can-style viewing at best, but still a breathtaking experience. I've got to find a shot of Charles White III's "Sistine Chapel Floor"
My pleasure! I thought it was pretty well done, and how cutting-edge of the Vatican to throw something like that together! Although this is a less stressful visit, I would agree that nothing beats the real thing, and also thing Chuck's Union Terminal idea is fantastic!
This is amazing. We visited the Sistine chapel in 06. I think this is better. You can get up close and see all the paintings.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great link!
Thanks for this Oliver!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Christina. This has a very reverential ambiance to it, which helps the experience.
When you see the real thing, the place is packed with tourists. The crowds get loud and have to be admonished to keep quiet, (it is a functioning place of worship). So there's this weird five-minute cycle of the din growing and reaching a crescendo, then stopping. Then it starts all over again. Pretty distractive.
One thing you get from being there, is a better sense of what the room looked like before it was painted, which is essentially a void, grey canvas. Everything that looks like architectural detail or moulding, is trompe l'oeil fakery.
I'd love to see this same thing done with Cincinnati's Union Terminal. No single picture can capture the effect of that rotunda.
I was amazed at how small the chapel actually was when I visited.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I guess I am going to have to create a google account for commenting here since I no longer use my wordpress.com blog and there isn't a guest option.
Chuck, that's what I remember also - sardine can-style viewing at best, but still a breathtaking experience. I've got to find a shot of Charles White III's "Sistine Chapel Floor"
ReplyDeleteThank you for this.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! I thought it was pretty well done, and how cutting-edge of the Vatican to throw something like that together! Although this is a less stressful visit, I would agree that nothing beats the real thing, and also thing Chuck's Union Terminal idea is fantastic!
ReplyDelete