Bramante Courtyard

Artist: Bramante

Classification: Architecture

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Description

History

The Vatican is home to not only magnificent frescoes, Greco-Roman and Egyptian antiquities, and exquisite paintings but is also a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture with its crowning jewel: the Bramante Courtyard with its Nicchione tower. The Bramante Courtyard is the most extensive, long-term restoration project undertaken by the Patrons of the Arts in its 35-year history. Within the sprawling complex of the Vatican Museums, the Bramante Courtyard is easily identifiable by its famous bronze pigna or pinecone sculpture mounted on a staircase designed by Michelangelo and flanked by two sculpted peacocks. The Courtyard connects the main galleries of the Vatican Museums and provides visitors with a central gathering area of the most theatrical, accomplished Renaissance architecture. While the space is rivaled in prestige by many other architectural spaces in the Vatican Museums, the Bramante Courtyard is undoubtedly its heart. Restoration of the four walls of the Bramante Courtyard commenced in 2016.

West Wall

The West Wall of the Bramante Courtyard houses the Vatican Library, as well as the Gallery of the Maps, the Gallery of the Candelabra, and the Gallery of the Tapestries. At its tallest, the Wall extends three stories high. Similar to the East Wall of the Courtyard, the second level of the West Wall was originally an open-air, intermediary space between art and nature. The West Wall was perhaps the most challenging aspect of Bramante’s design, the architect faced the task of connecting the Belvedere Villa (the North Nicchione Wall of the Courtyard) to the Apostolic Palace (the opposing side capped by the South Wall Braccio Nuovo) over a sloping tract of land. As an accomplished result, one can observe with scrutiny that the West Wall slopes downward as it extends south, a factor that Bramante almost completely concealed with the optical illusion of his design. The West Wall will feature a large marble recognition plaque onto which the names of major donors contributing to the restoration of the Bramante Courtyard will be inscribed.

East Wall

The East Wall of the Bramante Courtyard connects the Nicchione Wall, featuring the large apse and the iconic bronze pinecone, to the Braccio Nuovo sculpture gallery behind the South Wall. The Chiaramonti Gallery, named after Pope Pius VII Chiaramonti (1742-1823) and located behind the East Wall displays over a hundred works of Greco-Roman sculpture. The East Wall was previously a loggia until its openings were later filled in with brick. The restoration of the Bramante Courtyard looks to uncover another significant feature of the East Wall beyond its original color of facade: a large terrace and balustrade that sit on top of the Wall but are currently hidden from view by a modern roof construction. In Bramante’s time, the space would have been used for open-air gatherings and repose by the pontiffs. Today, this space functions as a storage attic for the Vatican Museums, far removed from the glory of the Renaissance and the Roman sun. Through the funding of the East Wall, Vatican restorers hope to recover this terrace by removing the modern roof and walls that have hidden this terrace away from public view.

Lighting System

In addition to sponsoring the restoration of the Courtyard’s walls, the Patrons of the Arts would also like to fund the installation of a state-of-the-art lighting system. An extensive lighting system will allow the space to be used for a wide array of evening events but will also allow Bramante’s architecture to shine in its best light. Such a lighting system for the Bramante Courtyard would bring greater attention to the space and its new restoration. The Nicchione Wall of the Bramante Courtyard is the tallest, most visible feature of the Vatican Museums. The possibility of the Courtyard receiving light would claim for the Vatican Museums a place in the Roman skyline at night. Finishing touches of the Bramante Courtyard will also include state-of-the-art surveillance cameras, a P.A. system, and other security and safety features.