Historic Essay
Walking in to the Piazza del Popolo the Santa Maria del Popolo, translated to St. Mary of the People, is not one of the very first things that you see. The exterior of the basilica is not as ornate as other buildings or monuments surrounding it. Yet, its style has a simple feeling that invites you in to take refuge from the sun. Stepping foot into the basilica immediately causes your eyes to adjust because of the dim lighting that illuminates the entire place.
The Basilica was originally a chapel created in 1099 and rebuilt in the 15th century- as it stands now it is made up of travertine stone. The Santa Maria del Popolo was originally created to displace a simple walnut tree. You may wondering what the purpose of that would be? The people of the town surrounding that particular walnut tree believed it to be the house of the evil spirit of Nero-who was said to be buried beneath it. As a way to settle the minds of the inhabitants and restore peace- the tree was ordered to be cut down and burned. In its place the basilica was constructed and consecrated – exorcising the spirit of Nero.
The simple structure of the basilica itself does not do justice to the exquisitely decorated interior. The entire basilica is covered in frescos, mosaics, sculptures and other art forms. It is even the resting place for many prominent members of society-such as Giovanni Battista Gisleni. Their tombs are encased in the walls as well as the floors- giving the dim basilica an even more mysterious and spiritual feeling.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/522989/Santa-Maria-del-Popolo
http://www.reidsguides.com/italy/destinations/lazio/rome/sights/sm_popolo.html
The second piece that I would like to focus on would be the Fontana del Tritone that we happened upon by mere chance. As we were making our very detoured way back to the metro we passed this beautiful structure. It is located in the Piazza Barberini and was created by Bernini in 1642.
Barberini constructed this fountain from travertine in the Baroque style –(that would go on to set his style for future fountains). He was originally commissioned to build the fountain by Pope Urban the VIII as a reminder of the constant water supply that was available because of the Roman aqueducts. This structure was an advertisement of both beauty and grace along with practicality. The Pope needed a way in which the people could get the water and at the same time appeal to the very nature of the Roman culture.
The fountain depicts Triton being held up by four dolphins as he raises a conch shell. The fountain portrays a more villa style fountain- that being a free standing fountain to a more urban setting – where it now rests. This fountain was not like the others found at this time that were more basic and basin like.
Looking back on these two particular “art pieces” it can be said that their construction was used to meet the needs of the people at the time as well as meet the needs of the Pope and officials of the time. Today they both provide a rest for the weary traveler and drink to continue on as they make their way through Rome.
http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/b/bernini/gianlore/sculptur/1630/triton.html
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