Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes

Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes presents unique objects illustrating the Vatican's impact on history and culture through 2,000 years - since the time of Saint Peter.

Many of these objects have never left the Vatican or been on public view. They are on loan from the Vatican, including the Vatican Museums, the archives of Propaganda Fide, the Pontifical Sacristy and objects formerly from the Sistine Chapel, churches administered by the Vatican, and Casa Buonarotti.

Highlights of the exhibition include a Reproduction Of the Tomb Of Saint Peter and a gold Votive Plaque found in the area of the tomb; the Mandylion of Edessa, a third - fifth century image on linen considered the oldest known representation of Jesus; a mosaic Bust of an Angel by the 14th century master, Giotto; drawings by Michelangelo, including figure studies for the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; Bernini's exquisite terra-cotta sculpture, Charity with Four Putti, which has been discovered to include the artist's thumbprint in the clay; the Tiara of Pope Pius IX, the symbol of the papacy, made of silver, gold, pearls, diamonds, emeralds, and other precious stones; a Buddhist Thanka of embroidered cloth and pearls, created by the Dalai Lama as a gift to John Paul II; and the Pastoral Staff of Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II.

Organized and circulated by Art Services International, Alexandria, Virginia, in conjunction with the Governatorato of the Vatican City State and the Office of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums.

For additional information on the Saint Peter and the Vatican: Legacy of the Popes exhibition, please refer to www.sdmart.com/exhibition_vatican.html.

Now Showing:
San Diego, Callifornia
San Diego Museum of Art
May 16, 2004- September 6, 2004

Past Venues:
Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas
Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, Ohio