Sistine Chapel
Cappella Sistina
Keywords:
Sistine Chapel Rome, Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo Sistine Chapel, Cappella Sistina
Site Overview:
Want to go to Rome and look at some art? The Sistine Chapel is online and is awe inspiring. There is a master plan of the Chapel with alphabet-coded pictures showing their exact location. The graphics are stunning if a bit slow in downloading, but it is worth the wait. This site will provide you with the history of the Chapel and a look at the work of some of the most famous master artists of all time.
Goals and Objectives:
The goals and objectives of this site are to become familiar with the art of the Renaissance period; various artists, especially Michelangelo; and the Sistine Chapel.
Research:
(Source: Sistine Chapel web site.)
This small chapel is an amazing gallery that contains some of the most famous artists of all time. Its dimensions (40.93 meters long by 13.41 meters wide) are the exact dimensions of the Temple of Solomon, as given in the Old Testament.
The exterior is very unassuming, but the interior walls and ceilings are decorated with some of the most beautiful paintings (called frescoes) of all time. Florence Renaissance artists created these paintings.
Michelangelo painted his most famous artwork in the chapel. His frescoes are on the ceiling and on the wall behind the altar. The work was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508 and was completed in 1512. Scenes that are depicted are from the Old Testament. Pope Paul III commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Last Judgment fresco on the wall behind the altar, which was accomplished from 1535-41.
The Chapel has been used throughout the years, and an accumulation of dust and smoke from candles took their toll. A 10-year long restoration of the Sistine Ceiling was completed in 1989. The cleaning and restoration of the Last Judgment was completed in 1994. The Sistine Chapel is used by the Pope. Additionally many ceremonies are held at the chapel, and it is a place used by the College of Cardinals for the election of a new Pope.
Lesson Plans and Site Navigation:
1. The web site for this field trip is The Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sistine/0-Tour.html. From time to time, the links on a web site do not work. Either skip the question below or the page you have been directed to and go on. When navigating this site, please use your forward and back arrows to go back to the original page. Some of the pages have a button, which says return to the home page. Many of the pages with pictures of the Chapel do not have this feature, and the back arrow key is necessary.
2. Your tour begins on the home page. Here you will find a paragraph explaining the site and a bit of history about the Chapel. Read this brief history, and click on any links to view segments of the Chapel.
3. Click on the master plan of the Chapel. A suggestion is to print the layout of the Chapel. This will give you an idea of the locations of the various frescoes. Click the back arrow to return to the home page.
4. You will find a list of frescoes and paintings under various titles; for example, “O-Baptism of Christ.” The letter “O” is found on the master plan of the Chapel, which tells you exactly where the frescoes are located in the Chapel.
5. Click on the links in any order that you desire. You may want to view the frescoes in the order in which they are found in the Bible, or the order in which they are laid out on this site. You may also click to enlarge the photos. This feature is listed along with directions where access is possible. Warning: Some of the scenes in Creation of Adam may not be appropriate for all ages. You may want to preview these ahead of time.
Scavenger Hunt Questions:
Grades K-3
1. Where is the Sistine Chapel located?
2. Is the Sistine Chapel very large?
3. If you had been asked to paint the Chapel, what part do you think would have been the most difficult to paint?
4. How long did it take Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Chapel?
5. How long did it take Michelangelo to paint the Last Judgment behind the altar?
Grades 4-8
1. Name one of the most famous artists to create frescoes for the Sistine Chapel.
2. The dimensions of the Sistine Chapel are similar to what temple?
3. Why do you think the scenes painted in the Chapel were chosen?
4. What do you think when you first look at the entire painted Chapel?
5. What was the name of the period of time when the Chapel was painted.
Grades 9-12
1. Name two Popes who commissioned Michelangelo to paint segments of the Sistine Chapel.
2. Because only one Pope can reign at a time, what does this tell you about Pope Julius II?
3. Name some of the uses of the Chapel.
4. Why do you think the Creation of the World is painted on the ceiling, which is too far away to see without binoculars or close-up lenses?
5. It took more than 10 years to restore the Chapel and frescoes. Do you feel this was necessary, especially as it would be difficult to recreate Michelangelo’s work?
Additional Activities:
· Make a chart, and list all the painters whose work is found in the Sistine Chapel.
· Try painting a ceiling… or pretending. Take a long roll of paper and tape it to the bottom of a large table, such as the kitchen table. Use crayons or colored pencils (paints if you really want to be adventurous), and try your hand at painting upside down.
· Keep a journal: Subject painting upside down. Record how you felt doing this work, how long did it take, and so forth.
· Write a letter to a friend. You are Michelangelo, and the Pope has just commissioned you to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Discuss how you feel, how long you think it is going to take, and any other plans you may have.
· Research the lost art of painting frescoes.
· Research Michelangelo, his other notable contributions such as sculptures and paintings.
· Art appreciation: Look at some of the paintings on this site with a critical eye. What makes this art? Research some of the qualities of art that last the scrutiny of time. Why is this work still considered classic today?
· If you could redesign the Chapel, how would you build it? Draw blueprints.
· The art contained in the Chapel is considered priceless. How much do you think it would cost to pay an artist to do the same type of work today?
· There are many notable professions for an artist today. Some are commercial, educational and so forth. List the types of jobs in which an artist would be hired.
· Very few artists become famous. What does it take to become a famous artist today? Was Michelangelo famous in his day?
· During the Renaissance period there was much activity. Research this time in history, and name some of the notable outcomes that still affect us today.
· The Sistine Chapel is located in Vatican City. The Vatican is considered a country. How can this be if it is located in Italy? Research this.
Answers to Questions:
Grades K-3
1. The Sistine Chapel is located outside of Rome.
2. The Sistine Chapel is not very large in comparison to some other tremendously large churches in the world.
3. The ceiling would be the most difficult part to paint.
4. It took four years (1508-12).
5. It took six years (1535-41).
Grades 4-8
1. Michelangelo is known for his paintings in the Chapel.
2. The dimensions of the Sistine Chapel are the exact size of the Temple of Solomon, as given in the Old Testament.
3. They are a reminder of the Christian beliefs as depicted in the Bible.
4. Answers will vary.
5. The Renaissance.
Grades 9-12
1. The two Popes who commissioned Michelangelo are Pope Julius II and Pope Paul III
2. He must have died, and another Pope was elected.
3. It is used as the official Chapel of the Pope. Many ceremonies are held there, and the College of Cardinals meets to elect the next Pope.
4. Answers will vary.
5. Answers will vary. Much of the work done was restorative, meaning dirt was cleaned away to restore its brilliance. Special artists were chosen to carefully preserve the original work of Michelangelo and other artists.