Искусство Евразии (Jun 2021)
Sixtus IV as a patron of the Sistine Chapels
Abstract
The name of Sixtus IV is associated with three Sistine Chapels: in the Vatican Palace, in the former convent of San Francesco in Savona, and in the old Basilica of San Pietro in Rome (also known as the Choir Chapel and Immaculate Chapel). The former is well studied by scientists. While remaining two chapels are much less discussed in the literature since their Quattrocentist setting has largely been lost. The article compares these three major artistic orders and for the first time shows how different their ecclesiastical and social significance were, and how distinctively the outstanding personality of Sixtus IV was manifested in each of them. In the Vatican chapel are depicted his religious, political and philanthropic activities. The funeral chapel in San Pietro was designed to provide the customer with a happy afterlife and perpetuates Sixtus IV as a real Pope-King. The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception located far from Rome became the mausoleum for the pontiff's parents and provides the most complete picture of his personal qualities. In this monument Sixtus IV is shown as an attentive son, but also practically dared to put himself on a par with the saints.
Keywords
