Culture

Raphael's tapestries return to the Sistine Chapel

Rome, Feb. 17 (EFE), (Image: Jorge Ortiz).-Rome, Feb 17 (EFE).- For one week only, the Sistine Chapel will be restored to its former glory with 10 magnificent tapestries by Raphael draping its walls.This is the first time the artworks of the Renaissance genius will return to the Chapel since the 16th century to mark the fifth centenary of Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino's death on 6 April 1520.The 10 tapestries measuring six by five meters will take pride of place in the Vatican Museum's Raphael room, the place where cardinals convene to elect popes.FOOTAGE OF THE SISTINE CHAPEL.SOUNDBITES OF:-ALESSANDRA RODOLFO, head of the TAPESTRY DEPARTMENT OF THE VATICAN MUSEUMS:"The artistic value is not only due to an incredible artist like Rafael, but also of the Flemish weaver Pieter an Aelst, who was at the apex of his profession at that time. The added value is that they were designed for the Sistine, an identity place of the Christian Catholic Church, and that they complete the religious message initiated by the fourcentists and Michelangelo." -BARBARA JATTA, DIRECTOR OF THE VATICAN MUSEUMS: "The important thing for me is the beautiful evangelical message that comes through these tapestries, which are the stories of the apostles and therefore the stories of the message of Peter and Paul to the people which complete this visual catechesis. Therefore the message can reach people's hearts through art. This is the most important aspect.""For a week we can admire so much beauty up close, and this was the intention when we conceived the project. Only one week, to certainly share not only the beauty of the divine Raphael, but also the wonderful Michelangelo and the fourcentists, Botticelli, Perugino, Pinturicchio and many others."