Missouri Historical Society - Saint Louis Forest Park

Missouri Historical Society
in Forest Park

"For all the news that is Saint Louis, Saint Louis Front Page."

Visitors enter the main exhibit hall of the "Vatican Splendors" through doors flanked by the Papal Swiss Guard in Half-dress.

A recreated room with scaffolding near the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel provides a closeup look at Michaelangelo's frescoes.

A marble bust of Pope Boniface VIII near a description of his papacy.

"Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art"
by Bob Moore, SLFP.com
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), May 13, 2010 - St. Louis is one of only three U.S. cities to host one of the largest collections of rare art, documents and historically significant objects from the Vatican to tour North America.

In a unique partnership between the St. Louis Archdiocese and the Missouri History Museum, the exhibition, "Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art", is bringing approximately 170 objects to the midwest including: mosaics; frescoes; paintings by Renaissance masters; works by well-known sculptors; intricately embroidered silk vestments; precious objects from the Papal Mass; uniforms of the Papal Swiss Guard, historical maps and documents and relics.

An exact cast of Michaelangelo Buonarroti's Pietà, created with plaster and marble powder, was the crown jewel display at the 1960's World's Fair in New York City.

During a media preview of the exhibition, Reverend John T. Myler, Rector of St. Peter's Cathedral in Belleville, Illinois, enthusiastically described Michaelangelo Buonarroti's Pietà, one of the rare highlights.

"This is an exact duplicate of the Pietà, in size, shape and coloring," he said, pointing to the statue. "The actual Pietà, which is in St. Peter's Bascilica, left the Bascilica only one time and that was for the 1964 World's Fair in New York City."

"This is certainly Michaelangelo's most famous sculpture, along with the David in Florence. But when it came to St. Peter's 450 years ago, people did not know who did it. But they knew immediately that it was probably the greatest thing that had ever been sculpted in the history of the world. So Michaelangelo sneaked back into St. Peter's and carved his name on the band of the Virgin Mary's dress so the world would know then and now that this the great work of Michaelangelo," stated Reverend Myler.

In an informal interview, Dr. Robert Archibald, President and CEO, Missouri Historical Society, provided his impression of the exhibition.

"I have to sort of pinch myself because it's amazing to me to have all these things here in St. Louis," stated Archibald. "These are some of the absolute icons of western artistic traditions. There are pieces in here that are centuries old by artists that everyone has heard of, Michaelangelo, Bernini, Giotto and others and they are absolutely spectacular in their character. To have them here and to be this close to them is a stunning experience."

Archibald said there are pieces in this exhibit that date from the earliest century from the common era. "There are things that are derived from Roman times in Italy. There are things that chronicle the entire history of the development of the Church from the very earliest days; to the construction of the Vatican and the architecture of the Vatican; to the roles of the Popes as patrons of the arts. Really, under their patronage, much of this beauty was created. And that the Vatican is willing to share this beauty with those of us who live in the St. Louis metro area is a stunning wonderful thing."

"Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art" opens May 15, 2010 and runs through September 12, 2010, at the Missouri History Museum.

Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Artr

The history of the Vatican is chronicled in Gallery 9, 'The Successors of Peter: Papal Portraiture.'

Vatican Splendors presents 'Art of the Liturgy' in Gallery 7 through sculptures and paintings.

Emerson Center at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park

Statue of Thomas Jefferson

The Missouri History Museum (Jefferson Memorial Building) in Forest Park completed a major building expansion and renovation with the opening of the Emerson Center. The 92,000-square-foot Center, designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, provides the public with 24,000 square feet of additional exhibition space in four galleries, the Lee Auditorium with 347 seats, Bixby's Restaurant overlooking Forest Park, four fully equipped classrooms and a resource center, and the expansive Louisiana Purchase gift shop.

Restaurant.com Weekly Promo Offer 300 x 250

The Missouri Historical Society was established in 1866 to rescue "from oblivion the early history of the city and the state." In 1913, it moved into the newly constructed Jefferson Memorial Building. The Memorial Building stands on the site of the main entrance to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, more commonly known as the 1904 World's Fair. It was built with the proceeds of the Fair in memory of Thomas Jefferson.

Today, the Missouri History Museum houses a variety of exhibits and educational resources including the permanent exhibition, Seeking St. Louis and the current Many Voices: Reflecting on American Indian Objects. The History Museum and Emerson Center are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (8:00 p.m. each Tuesday). Admission is free unless noted.

The Missouri History Museum Library and Research Center, located at 225 South Skinker in the former United Hebrew Synagogue, was renovated and opened in 1991. It houses a research library open to the public with a comprehensive collection focusing on the history of the St. Louis region, the state of Missouri and the American West. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 314-746-4599.

Special Events

Restaurants

Hotels

Map

Return to Saint Louis Front Page

The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2010 Moore Design Group .