Thursday, June 2, 2022

Pietro Cavallini at Santa Cecilia

Bill and I went to the church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere to see the 13th century frescos of Pietro Cavallini.
There was a wedding in progress, which impeded our movement, but had its own visual interest.
Bill got this photo of the mosaics over the main altar.
The Cavallini frescos were partially destroyed in 1725 when the church was remodelled. They are concealed behind the grill of the nun's choir above the entrance.
The wedding music began and the bride made her entrance. Time for Bill and I to go up into the choir.
The choir is reached through the green door to the left of the entrance. Ring the bell and for a small fee a nun will take you to the elevator.
 Cavallini's frescos were rediscovered in 1900.
What we have left is a spectacular image of the Last Judgement -- Christ enthroned,
flanked by angels and apostles.
Mary stands at Christ's right side (our left).
The figures are not quite life sized but monumental
and the colours are bright and intense.
We were thrilled to be able to stand so close to these majestic paintings.
We heard the sounds of the wedding proceeding from below. I approached the grill for a look.
I was thrilled to see the bride and groom, as if spotlit, kneeling before the altar.
I put the lens of my phone up against the opening in the grill and was treated to this view of the service below.

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