Loyola University Chicago

Rome Center Class Meets in the Sistine Chapel

The word "Rome" creates in most people's imagination, a picture of the ancient Roman Colosseum, the residence of Pope John Paul II, Vatican City, and Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. Many only dream of visiting these places, yet for all Loyola University Rome Center students, these world famous sites have become the backdrop for their current studies. For Dr. Nicholson's art history students, Nov. 3 offered a rare opportunity to visit the Sistine Chapel.

Dr. Nicholson took his 37 students on a tour to the largest and probably one of the most spectacular museums, the Vatican galleries. As he walked the students through the map corridor, he gave a lengthy synopsis of the history, religious significance and artistic meaning of the renowned chapel, since the sacredness of the room forbids talking. While the crowd moved through the Raphael Rooms, the Stanza di Eliodoro and the Stanza della Segnatura, two rooms which were once the private apartments of Pope Julius II, their bodies crowded together. They continued through the circling lines, until they reached their ultimate destination, the Sistine Chapel.

The most famous works of art in the Vatican are the frescoes painted by Michelangelo for the Sistine Chapel. On the uppermost part of the vault are nine stories from the Book of Genesis. The Creation of Adam is the most famous of the panels. In this scene God is a powerful, dynamic figure, extending his right arm to infuse a human soul into Adam. The idea of salvation underlies the whole decoration of the chapel. For many LURC students, seeing the actual frescoes beyond slides in class, brought many emotions.

As Loyola University Chicago student Rob Hartney from Oak Park, Ill. said, "I was really glad we were able to see the newly restored chapel with all the scaffolding down. Seeing the Sistine Chapel for the first time was an incredible experience, and I was even able to forget for a moment that I was going to be tested on the material the following day."

Jacinda Johnson, a University of Puget Sound student from St. Paul, Minn. said, "Even though the actual size of the Sistine Chapel was smaller than I imagined, the detailed frescoes made the whole room feel immense and the ceiling seemed to continue forever." Santa Clara University student, Cheri Blatter, from Northridge, Ca., agreed with Johnson and said, "The actual size of the Sistine Chapel was not that big, but if you stood in one place and focused, you would realize how much is going on in the pictures and know that there is no way to absorb everything in one sitting."

The Sistine Chapel was built between 1473 and 1481. Its rectangular hall with a barrel vaulted ceiling was intended as a private ceremonial place for the popes. Over the centuries it has also been used for the conclaves--meetings of cardinals which elect a new pope. Since, the chapel has become a world famous site and has millions of visitors each year. Nov. 3, may soon be recorded in the journals and photo albums of all the Rome Center students.