St. Peter's [antikvár]

1.Cover: View of the faiadé and cupola of St. Peter's from Bernini's colonnade. Vor the balustrade running above the colonnade, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his numerous assistants sculpted 140 statues of saints over three meters high, including many popes wearing the papai tiara. His technique was concise, but highly expressive. The statues seem to be at the mercy ofthe wind, with their animated gestures and moving drapery, the vision of a majestic "heavenly court'' whose scenographic effect is impressive, soul stirring. Poised over the semicircular colonnade, they enshrine the basilica fagade dominated by Michelangelo 's ' 'Cupolone 'Towering above the fagade are colossal statues (5.70 m.) of the Savior, fohn the Baptist, and the eleven apostles chosen by Christ after Simon Peter. 2.Prontispiece: The Papai tiara. The triple crown, symbol of the papacy, signifies the three states of the Church governed by the Popé, Vicar of Christ: the church militant on earth, penitent in Purgatory, and triumphant in Paradise. This splendid 18th-century example ofthe jewellers art is kept in the Treasure Museum of St. Peter's. During solemn ceremonies each year on ]une 29th, St. Peter and St. Paul's feastday, it is used to crown the bronzé statue of the Prince of Apostles, in the basilica. It reproduces on a large scale (54 cm. high, 30 cm. in diameterj the tiara used by popes until re - cent times for their enthronement, during pontifical mass, and on other solemn occasions.