Museo Vaticano

mum and dad said I couldn’t leave the big city without returning to the Vatican Museum. I vaguely remembered walking through as an eleven year old and craning my neck to see for myself the painting of the connection of heaven and human I’d already seen plastered on tees and napkins all over the city. I was as amazed today as I was back then by the depth of talent and devotion with which these artists dedicated their lives to their work.

one of the most popular moments depicted throughout the entire museum was the removal of Jesus from the cross. I was curious to see how different artists went about presenting grief on the faces of those holding and gazing upon their dead friend and child. the look on the woman’s face in this one gave me chills.

an unfinished Da Vinci of St Jerome.

an angel speaks with Matthew as he writes his gospel. this one makes me think of my grandfather Tony. a copy of it still hangs in his lounge room I’m pretty sure.

there was also some pretty impressive contemporary art on the long winding road to the Sistene Chapel. I was pleasantly surprised to run into a trilogy of works by Dali, the above image being his portrayal of the Holy Trinity.

no photos allowed in the Sistene Chapel. very overwhelming, incomparable dedication to a project. on a whole, I struggle with the reasoning for much of the museum - with the church having acquired whole galleries of excess artefacts of no relation to the religion or it’s history, I wonder why the vatican would not sell to make money for those who need it. I also have trouble rationalising the knowledge that so much more of the money made by the museums could and should be saving lives. a lot to think about.

funghi pizza for dinner, nutella and pistacchio gelato and a walk. bed time. <<