Lecture on Bernini's Piaza at St. Peter's Basilica

Introduction

• Location: In front of the Basilica of St. Peter's, Vatican, Rome.
• Designer: Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 17th century.
• Purpose: To hold vast numbers of people for papal audiences.

Historical Context

• Site History:
  • Previously the site of Emperor Nero's Roman circus.
  • St. Peter buried here; early church (Old St. Peter's) built by Emperor Constantine.
• High Renaissance Era:
  • Church dates to early 1500s.
  • Patronage by Pope Julius II.
  • Art contributions by Michelangelo and Raphael.

Bernini's Piaza

• Timeframe: Over 100 years post the initial church constructions.
• Counter Reformation:
  • Reaction to Martin Luther and Protestant Reformation.
  • Church used art to inspire and reunite the faithful.
  • Bernini's words: "Motherly arms of the church reaching out to embrace the faithful and to reunite Heretics."

Architectural Features

• Geometry:
  • Transition from Renaissance ideals of squares and circles to ovals, ellipses, and trapezoids.
• Design:
  • Church activated to extend into viewer's space.
  • Structure:
    • Two arms/wings forming a vast oval space.
    • Center: Ancient Egyptian obelisk and two fountains.
  • Columns:
    • Tuscan order, simple and unfluted.
    • Made of travertine, enhancing visual focus on the Basilica.
    • Massive scale, wrapping around the oval space.
• Symbolism and Utility:
  • Creates a bridge between secular city space and spiritual Basilica space.
  • Visual elements draw attention to Basilica while maintaining simplicity.
  • Temple-like endings of the colonades invoking ancient Greek architectural style.

Conclusion

• Role of the Piaza: A synthesis of symbolic architecture with practical utility, creating a welcoming space that reflects Counter Reformation ideals.