why did pope urban viii commission a balachino (canopy) for saint peter's interior? (course hero)

Bernini built the Baldacchino over nine years. Its construction began in 1624 and finished around the year 1633. He was chosen for the job by Pope Urban VIII, who was ambitious in creating a canopy over the small altar.

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What did Pope Urban VIII do for the church?

Pope Urban VIII ( Latin: Urbanus VIII; baptised 5 April 1568 – 29 July 1644) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 6 August 1623 to his death in 1644. He expanded the papal territory by force of arms and advantageous politicking, and was also a prominent patron of the arts and a reformer of Church missions.

What does Bernini's monument to Pope Urban VIII look like?

This monument to Pope Urban VIII by Bernini is a pyramidal layout similar to the tomb of Pope Paul III though more harmonious. A tall, white marble pedestal supports the bronze figure of the Pope giving a blessing. The figure on the left with the children is Charity, Justice is on the right with the sword and scale.

How did Barberini become a papal legate?

In 1601, Barberini, through the influence of his uncle, was able to secure from Pope Clement VIII appointment as a papal legate to the court of King Henry IV of France.

Why did Urban VIII go to Castel Gandolfo?

When Urban VIII travelled to Castel Gandolfo to rest, the members of the Spanish faction met in secret and discussed ways to advance their plan. But they were discovered and the pope raced back to Rome where he immediately held a consistory and demanded to know who the new pope was.

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Who was the Venetian envoy to Pope Urban VIII?

Upon Pope Urban VIII's election, Zeno , the Venetian envoy, wrote the following description of him:

What was the result of the military and artistic endeavours of the Pope?

A consequence of these military and artistic endeavours was a massive increase in papal debt. Urban VIII inherited a debt of 16 million scudi, and by 1635 had increased it to 28 million.

What did Urban VIII do?

Urban VIII practiced nepotism on a grand scale; various members of his family were enormously enriched by him, so that it seemed to contemporaries as if he were establishing a Barberini dynasty. He elevated his brother Antonio Marcello Barberini (Antonio the Elder) and then his nephews Francesco Barberini and Antonio Barberini (Antonio the Younger) to Cardinal. He also bestowed upon their brother, Taddeo Barberini, the titles Prince of Palestrina, Gonfalonier of the Church, Prefect of Rome and Commander of Sant'Angelo. Historian Leopold von Ranke estimated that during his reign, Urban VIII's immediate family amassed 105 million scudi in personal wealth.

How much wealth did Urban VIII have?

Historian Leopold von Ranke estimated that during his reign, Urban VIII's immediate family amassed 105 million scudi in personal wealth. Urban VIII was a skilled writer of Latin verse, and a collection of Scriptural paraphrases as well as original hymns of his composition have been frequently reprinted.

How many saints did Urban VIII canonize?

Urban VIII canonized five saints during his pontificate: Stephen Harding (1623), Elizabeth of Portugal and Conrad of Piacenza (1625), Peter Nolasco (1628), and Andrea Corsini (1629). The pope also beatified 68 individuals including the Martyrs of Nagasaki (1627).

Why did Urban VIII die?

Urban VIII's death on 29 July 1644 is said to have been hastened by chagrin at the result of the Wars of Castro. Because of the costs incurred by the city of Rome to finance this war, Urban VIII became immensely unpopular with his subjects.

What was the purpose of the 1638 papal bull?

The 1638 papal bull Commissum Nobis protected the existence of Jesuit missions in South America by forbidding the enslavement of natives who were at the Jesuit Reductions. At the same time, Urban VIII repealed the Jesuit monopoly on missionary work in China and Japan, opening these countries to missionaries of other orders and missionary societies.

Who was the pope under Urban VIII?

Any yet this pope with the powerful gesture of benediction commands all our attention. It was under Urban VIII that Galileo Galilei (d.1642), although a personal friend, was condemned for a second time and forced to renounce the Copernican system under threat of torture (1633).

What is the Pope Urban VIII monument?

This monument to Pope Urban VIII by Bernini is a pyramidal layout similar to the tomb of Pope Paul III though more harmonious. A tall, white marble pedestal supports the bronze figure of the Pope giving a blessing. The figure on the left with the children is Charity , Justice is on the right with the sword and scale.

What was Bernini's first sculptural work?

From: 'BERNINI' Copyright © 1997 by Rudolf Whittkower. The tomb of Urban VIII was the first purely sculptural work into which Bernini introduced colour by using different materials. Colour for him was never a merely decorative device, but essential for illuminating the meaning and significance of his ideas.

What is Bernini's skeleton?

Bernini used a skeleton to represent death for the first time on this monument. The skeleton has written the name of the deceased on an unfolded scroll. The bees of the Barberini family coat of arms is displayed here while individual bees have been placed on the monument. These bees can bee seen throughout St. Peter's Basilica.