The Chair of St. Pete by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
I choose to analyze the Chair of Saint Peter, which was designed 1647-1653 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini for Pope Urban VIII. This work of art is the central piece in St. Peter’s Bascilla. I found this work to be particularly appealing not because of the chair itself, but rather because of the elaborate stained glass window design seen behind the chair. Perhaps I am somewhat ignorant of the true significance of the bronze encased chair, but i can see very little symbology in it. The design of the window and surrounding design seems to be much more accessible. The figures around the window itself are clearly souls of all kinds being welcomed into heaven. Central to the entire sculpture is the illuminated dove. This dove is most likely a representation of the divine welcoming his subjects. The straightforward nature of the design coupled with striking figures and real meaning are undoubtedly what most attracted me to this artwork.
The significance of chair itself was somewhat lost on me until i did further reading. As it turns out, St. Peter is a huge part of the Catholic religion. So big that anything connected to him is virtually priceless. “The Chair of St. Peter encased in bronze by Bernini in the middle of the 17th Century and placed behind the main altar in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is the second of two chairs used by St. Peter during his years in Rome.” (http://www.consecration.com/default.aspx?id=63) This being the last surviving chair, it is easy to see why this work is so important to so many people.
Connecting the Chair of Saint Peter to royalty is actually very dependent on how you interpret royalty. While neither St. Peter nor Pope Urban VIII were descended from a royal family, they have had just as much, if not more influence on the world than a traditional royal family. Personally I believe that the Vatican represents more power than any one ruler has had before, making Pope Urban VIII’s commission of it a much more significant connection.
Aj's Blog 
February 27, 2010 at 9:00 am |
I think that you did a good job with all of the info – artist, title… But I notice that you had named the place where the piece of art was located – but where was it made? You did a good job of explaining why you liked the work. You also mentioned being ignorant about the chair, that was a good thing to mention also! All the while you chose an artist that was from this era, you didn’t necissarily tie it into any of the things that were listed… you mentioned that although they weren’t royalty, they were like it. Could you have chosen a separate piece that would have tied better into the Baroque era?
I can see why you like this piece, the stained glass definitely appeals to me also! I used to love making those types of things when i was younger… definitely don’t have the artistic touch to do something like that though! Your analysis was okay, but you seemed to have left a few things out. Hopefully you had just really liked this painting rather than just wingin’ it. Good job for the most part though.