Sunday, November 02, 2014

Magnificent

From an article at The Daily Beast...
VATICAN CITY—In the 500 or so years since the Sistine Chapel was decorated, it has never looked so good. That’s in part because no one has ever seen Michelangelo’s frescoes portraying the book of Genesis and “The Last Judgment” in quite the right light. Now, with the help of 7,000 light-emitting diodes or LEDs, the detailed work has emerged from the shadows.
The new lighting system was unveiled last week to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the chapel’s restoration and the 450th anniversary of Michelangelo’s death. The lighting project, together with a new climate control system, cost nearly $4 million, paid in part by funds from the European Union through a consortium called Led4Art, led by German light bulb giant Osram, which developed a special color temperature to best enhance Michelangelo’s hues at around 3,550 Kelvin units, according to the Osram explainer on the magical illumination. The rest of the work was donated either in supplies, expertise, or technology by firms who wanted to be involved in the project, meaning the Vatican didn’t have to spend any resources for the extraordinary enhancement.
The best thing about the article?  A link to a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel, about which, these:



Two screen-shots from the virtual tour; as always, click to embiggen.  Or better yet, chase the link and go there yerownfineself.

12 comments:

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    1. I spent quite awhile there. It IS something!

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  2. Haven't been there in 'mumble' years... It would be nice to see it fully restored! It was impressive enough back in the day!!!

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    1. You've prolly been there since I have, what with me seeing it as a child of 11 or possibly 12.

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  3. A bucket list item for us, for sure. Someday...it just look so ah-mazing.

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    Replies
    1. I'd like to go back, as I have very, very dim memories of my one and only visit.

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  4. Facial Hair (or pubic if'n ya want)02 November, 2014 16:33

    I found this on the innernet:

    Stages of beard growth:
    1. Sexy
    2. Been drinking for a week
    3. Sea captain
    4. Prisoner of war
    5. Priest
    6. Homeless
    7. Wizard

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    Replies
    1. Interesting! I think I've made it to POW but not beyond.

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  5. Went there many, many, many, many, many... a long time ago. Also had the rare privilege of attending a mass presided over by The Pope (who at that time was Paul VI, so you can probably figure out just how long ago it was.) Suffice to say, it was magnificent, but not as magnificent as it now is. Wow.

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    1. ...who at that time was Paul VI, so you can probably figure out...

      Pius XII was pope when I was there, so I preceded you by a just a lil bit. ;-)

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  6. After the restoration was complete, I bought one of those coffee-table Art Books showing the restoration, panel-by-panel, and offering a few comparisons to the pre-restored state. Everyone was just blown away by the brightness of the colors - those Renaissance painter-types weren't supposed to have been quite so. . . colorful.

    2F is quite an artist her own self, and when we graduated her to the basement 'launching pad' apartment, she re-created 2 or 3 of the Sistine's panels on the walls. So, for our subsequent kids, we've tacked fabric over the walls if they didn't prefer to contemplate the Sistine Chapel. But we will NEVER paint over it. . .

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    1. But we will NEVER paint over it. . .

      I wouldn't, either. That's quite an accomplishment and one about which I would be REALLY proud.

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Just be polite... that's all I ask.