So again I'm a day behind on this post, but luckily we didn't do too, too much so hopefully it'll be easy for me to catch up!
Yesterday started out with a french toast breakfast and then our group met up in front of San Luigi dei Francesi or the Church of Saint Louis of the French in order to begin our 'Caravaggio Trail'! Unfortunately, the church wasn't open for another hour, so we moved on to another - the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo.
This church is adjacent to the huge, beautiful square - Piazza del Popolo - and it houses the tombs of various famous people as well as artwork from famous artists.
But, as I said before, we were focused on one artist - Caravaggio - and more specifically, his work known as The Conversion on the Way to Damascus which illustrates the scene where Saul (later Paul) becomes blinded by the light of Christ appearing before him. (I will also add here that while we were outside discussing this work before entering the church, we all overheard a group leader next to us telling his listeners all about how the stories by Dan Brown - specifically Angels and Demons - were all completely REAL! ...oh boy.)
But as I was saying, once we made it into the church and saw the work, we were just blown away by how amazing the drama, lighting, and angle of the composition all were! Though Caravaggio was known for his crazy, sometimes violent, but charismatic personality, his artwork shows genius-level, refined skill. It just sucks though because I couldn't take pictures in the chapel it was hung in.....but here's a Google image, and then some other photos of the church that I COULD take!
After that, our group headed back over to the other church - San Luigi dei Francesi which was now open! It was also very beautiful inside and because it was built as the main Church of the French in Rome, it features all sorts of French iconography, symbolism, etc. (which was a nice difference from all the Italian churches!).
Again, though, we were here for Caravaggio and this time, I could take pictures!!!
Inside the three walls of the Contarelli Chapel hung three paintings depicting the life of Saint Matthew - one of him being called by Christ, another of him writing the Scriptures, and the last of him being martyred.
This church is adjacent to the huge, beautiful square - Piazza del Popolo - and it houses the tombs of various famous people as well as artwork from famous artists.
But, as I said before, we were focused on one artist - Caravaggio - and more specifically, his work known as The Conversion on the Way to Damascus which illustrates the scene where Saul (later Paul) becomes blinded by the light of Christ appearing before him. (I will also add here that while we were outside discussing this work before entering the church, we all overheard a group leader next to us telling his listeners all about how the stories by Dan Brown - specifically Angels and Demons - were all completely REAL! ...oh boy.)
But as I was saying, once we made it into the church and saw the work, we were just blown away by how amazing the drama, lighting, and angle of the composition all were! Though Caravaggio was known for his crazy, sometimes violent, but charismatic personality, his artwork shows genius-level, refined skill. It just sucks though because I couldn't take pictures in the chapel it was hung in.....but here's a Google image, and then some other photos of the church that I COULD take!
After that, our group headed back over to the other church - San Luigi dei Francesi which was now open! It was also very beautiful inside and because it was built as the main Church of the French in Rome, it features all sorts of French iconography, symbolism, etc. (which was a nice difference from all the Italian churches!).
Again, though, we were here for Caravaggio and this time, I could take pictures!!!
Inside the three walls of the Contarelli Chapel hung three paintings depicting the life of Saint Matthew - one of him being called by Christ, another of him writing the Scriptures, and the last of him being martyred.
...fleur-de-lis windows!
...The Calling of Saint Matthew - my favorite!!
...The Inspiration of Saint Matthew
...The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew
...just look at the theatricality and drama!
So, after our trip down Caravaggio Lane, we bascially had the rest of the morning free until 3pm when we had to meet back up for class. Sabrina and I headed home and she made a huge, hearty meal of chicken, rice, and cooked veggies that was super tasty and very filling! We were immediately put into food comas, however, and basically took some much-needed naps until it was time for school.
Lecture was over the work we had seen as well as overviews of the Baroque period in general - very interesting!
Then, after class Sabrina and I were still rather sleepy so we headed back to the apartment and made a dinner of pesto-pasta before finding the movie Gladiator online and watching it until we were too tired to keep our eyes open......which surprised us both due to Russel Crowe's hotness factor......you'd think we could stay awake for that.
Alas, we were simply whooped, and ready to see the insides of our eyelids before another Roman day....
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