  DECORATION OF THE VATICAN LIBRARY. The system of decoration carried out in this Library, of which I have just given a summary description, is so interesting, and bears evidence of so much care and thought, that I subjoin a detailed account of it, which, by the kindness of Father Ehrle, prefect of the Library, I was enabled to draw up during my late visits to Rome. The diagrammatic ground-plan (fig. 18) which accompanies this description, if studied in conjunction with the general view (fig. 16), will make the relation of the subjects to each other perfectly clear. The visitor is supposed to enter the Library from the vestibule at the east end; and the notation of the piers, windows, wall-frescoes, etc., begins from the same end. Further, the visitor is supposed to examine the east face of each pier first, and then to turn to the left. I will begin with the figures on the central piers and half-piers. These figures are painted in fresco, of heroic size: and over their heads are the letters which they are supposed to have invented. 1. PILASTER AGAINST EAST WALL. Adam. A tall stalwart figure dressed in short chiton. He holds an apple in his left hand, and a mattock in his right. Adam divinitus edoctus primus scientiarum et litterarum inventor. 2. FIRST PIER. (a) Abraham. On the cornice of the presses round this pier are the following inscriptions: (a) Doctrina bona dabit gratiam. Prov. xiii. 15. 3. SECOND PIER. (a) Mercury. 4. THIRD PIER. (a) Phoenix. 5. FOURTH PIER. (a) Pythagoras. 6. FIFTH PIER. (a) Evander. 7. SIXTH PIER. (a) Chrysostom. 8. PILASTER AGAINST WEST WALL. Christ. Our Lord is seated. Over His Head ?, O; in His On Christ's right hand is a Pope, standing, with triple cross and tiara. I will now pass to the decoration of the walls. On the south wall, between the windows, are representations of famous libraries; on the north wall, of the eight general Councils of the Church. Each space is ornamented with a broad border, like a picture-frame. In the centre above is the general title of the subject or subjects below: e.g. Bibliotheca Romanorum; and beneath each picture is an inscription describing the special subject. Above each window, on the vault, is a large picture, to commemorate the benefits conferred by Sixtus V. on Rome and on the world. I will describe the libraries first, beginning as before at the east end of the room. I. SIXTUS V. AND THE ARCHITECT FONTANA. (Right of Entrance.) Sixtus V. Pont. M. BibliothecÆ VaticanÆ aedificationem prescribit. The Pope is seated. Fontana, a pair of compasses in his right hand, is on one knee, exhibiting the plan of the intended library. II. MOSES ENTRUSTS THE TABLES OF THE LAW TO THE LEVITES. (Left of Entrance.) Moyses librum legis Levitis in tabernaculo reponendum tradit. Moses hands a large folio to a Levite, behind whom more Levites are standing. Soldiers, etc., stand behind Moses. Tents in background. III. BIBLIOTHECA HEBRÆA. (On first wall-space south side.) Esdras sacerdos et scriba Bibliothecam sacram restituit. Ezra, attired in a costume that is almost Roman, stands in the centre of the picture, his back half turned to the spectator. An official is pointing to a press full of books. Porters are bringing in others. IV. BIBLIOTHECA BABYLONICA. (Two pictures.) (a) The education of Daniel in Babylon. Daniel et socii linguam scientiamque ChaldÆorum ediscunt. Daniel and other young men are writing and reading at a table on the right of the picture. A group of elderly men in front of them to the left. Behind these is a lofty chair and desk, beneath which is a table at which a group of boys are reading and writing. In the background a set of book-shelves with a desk, quite modern in style. (b) The search for the decree of Cyrus. Cyri decretum de templi restauratione Darii iussu perquiritur. Darius, crowned, his back half turned to the spectator, is giving orders to several young men, who are taking books out of an armarium—evidently copied from one of the Vatican book-cupboards. V. BIBLIOTHECA ATHENIENSIS. (Two pictures.) (a) Pisistratus arranges a library at Athens. Pisistratus primus apud GrÆcos publicam bibliothecam instituit. Pisistratus, in armour, over which is a blue mantle, is giving orders to an old man who kneels before him, holding an open book. Behind the old man attendants are placing books on desks—others are reading. Behind Pisistratus is a group of officers, and behind them again a book-press without doors, and a row of open books on the top. (b) Restoration of the library by Seleucus. Seleucus bibliothecam a Xerxe asportatam referendam curat. Servants are bringing in books which are being hastily packed into cases. In the background is seen the sea, with a ship; and the door of the palace. A picture full of life and movement. VI. BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINA. (Two pictures.) (a) Ptolemy organises the library at Alexandria. PtolemÆus ingenti bibliotheca instructa Hebreorum libros concupiscit. Ptolemy, a dignified figure in a royal habit, stands in the centre. He is addressing an elderly man who stands on his right. Behind him are three porches, within which are seen desks and readers. In the central porch are closed presses, with rows of folios on the top. Below are desks, at which readers are seated, their backs turned to the presses. (b) The Seventy Translators bring their work to Ptolemy. LXXII interpretes ab Eleazaro missi sacros libros PtolemÆo reddunt. Ptolemy is seated on a throne to right of spectator with courtiers on his right and left. The messengers kneel before him, and hand him volumes. VII. BIBLIOTHECA ROMANORUM. (a) Tarquin receives the Sibylline Books. Tarquinius Superbus libros Sibyllinos tres aliis a muliere incensis tantidem emit. Tarquin, seated in the centre of the picture, receives three volumes from an aged and dignified woman. In front a lighted brazier in which the other books are burning. (b) Augustus opens the Palatine library. Augustus CÆs. Palatina Bibliotheca magnifice ornata viros litteratos fovet. Augustus, in armour, with imperial mantle, crown and sceptre, stands left of centre. An old man seated at his feet is writing from his dictation. Left of the Emperor are five desks; with five closed books lying on the top of each. These desks are very probably intended to represent those of the Vatican Library as arranged by Sixtus IV. Two men, crowned with laurel, are standing behind the last desk, conversing. Behind them again is a book-case of three shelves between a pair of columns. Books are lying on their sides on these shelves. Beneath the shelves is a desk, with books open upon it, and others on their sides beneath it. VIII. BIBLIOTHECA HIEROSOLIMITANA. Alexander, Bishop and Martyr, collects a library at Jerusalem. S. Alexander Episc. et Mart. Decio Imp. in magna temporum acerbitate sacrorum scriptorum libros Hierosolymis congregat. A picture full of movement, occupying the whole space between two windows. The saint is in the centre of the picture, seated. Young men are bringing in the books, and placing them on shelves. IX. BIBLIOTHECA CÆSARIENSIS. Pamphilus, Priest and Martyr, collects a library at CÆsarea. S. Pamphilus Presb. et Mart. admirandÆ sanctitatis et doctrinÆ CÆsareÆ sacram bibliothecam conficit multos libros sua manu describit. Pamphilus, in centre of picture, is giving orders to porters who are bringing in a basket of books. On his left a large table at which a scribe is writing. S. Jerome, seated in right corner of picture, is apparently dictating to the scribe. Behind them is a large book-case on the shelves of which books lie on their sides; others are being laid on the top by a man standing on a ladder. In the left of the picture is a table covered with a green cloth, on which book-binders are at work. In front of this table a carpenter is preparing boards. In background, seen through a large window, is a view of CÆsarea. X. BIBLIOTHECA APOSTOLORUM. S. Peter orders the safe-keeping of books. S. Petrus sacrorum librorum thesaurum in Romana ecclesia perpetuo asservari jubet. S. Peter is standing before an altar on which are books and a cross. In front doctors are writing at a low table. [A small picture between window and west wall.] XI. BIBLIOTHECA PONTIFICUM. The successors of S. Peter carry on the library-tradition. Romani pontifices apostolicam bibliothecam magno studio amplificant atque illustrant. A pope, his left hand resting on a book, is earnestly conversing with a cardinal, whose back is half turned to the spectator. Another pope, with three aged men, in background. [A small picture on west wall.] We will now return to the east end of the room, and take the representations of Councils, painted on the east and north walls, in chronological order. I. II. CONCILIUM NICAENUM I. (On east wall.) The first Council held at NicÆa, a.d. 325. S. Silvestro PP. Constantino Mag. imp. Christus dei Filius patri consubstantialis declaratur Arii impietas condemnatur. The burning of the books of Arius. Ex decreto concilii Constantinus Imp. libros Arianorum comburi iubet. III. CONCILIUM CONSTANTINOPOLITANUM I. The first Council held at Constantinople, a.d. 381. S. Damaso PP. et Theodosio sen. imp. Spiritus Sancti divinitas propugnatur nefaria Macedonii hÆresis extinguitur. IV. CONCILIUM EPHESINUM. The Council held at Ephesus, a.d. 431. S. CÆlestino PP. et Theodosio Jun. Imp. Nestorius Christum dividens damnatur, B. Maria Virgo dei genetrix prÆdicatur. V. CONCILIUM CHALCEDONENSE. The Council held at Chalcedon, a.d. 451. S. Leone magno PP. et Marciano Imp. infelix Eutyches vnam tantum in Christo post incarnationem naturam asserens confutatur. VI. CONCILIUM CONSTANTINOPOLITANUM II. The second Council held at Constantinople, a.d. 553. Vigilio Papa et Iustiniano Imp. contentiones de tribus capitibus sedantur Origenis errores refelluntur. VII. CONCILIUM CONSTANTINOPOLITANUM III. The third Council held at Constantinople, a.d. 680. S. Agathone Papa Constantino pogonato Imp. monothelitÆ hÆretici vnam tantum in Christo voluntatem docentes exploduntur. VIII. CONCILIUM NICAENUM II. The second Council held at NicÆa, a.d. 787. Hadriano papa Constantino Irenes F. imp. impii iconomachi reiiciuntur sacrarum imaginum veneratio confirmatur. IX. X. CONCILIUM CONSTANTINOPOLITANUM IV. The fourth Council held at Constantinople, a.d. 869. Hadriano papa et Basilio imp. S. Ignatius patriarcha Constant. in suam sedem pulso Photio restituitur. The burning of the books of Photius. Ex decreto concilii Basilius Imp. chirographa Photii et conciliab. acta comburi iubet. In conclusion I will enumerate the series of eighteen large pictures on the side-walls and in the lunettes at each end of the room, representing, with some few exceptions, the benefits conferred on Rome by Sixtus. The most important of these pictures are above the windows (fig. 16), of which there are seven on each side-wall. A Latin couplet above the picture records the subject, and allegorical figures of heroic size, one on each side, further indicate the idea which it is intended to convey. The series begins at the east end of the room, over the door. I. Procession of Sixtus to his coronation. Hic tria Sixte tuo capiti diademata dantur On the left of this, over the First Nicene Council, is II. Coronation of Sixtus, with faÇade of old S. Peter's. Ad templum antipodes Sixtum comitantur euntem With the following picture the series on the south wall begins, above the windows: III. An allegorical tableau. A lion with a human face, and a thunder-bolt in his right paw, stands on a green hill. A flock of sheep is feeding around. Alcides partem ItaliÆ prÆdone redemit IV. The obelisk in front of old S. Peter's. The dome rising behind. Dum stabit motus nullis Obeliscus ab Euris V. An allegorical tableau. A tree loaded with fruits, up which a lion is trying to climb. A flock of sheep beneath. Temporibus Sixti redeunt Saturnia regna VI. A Columna Cochlis surmounted by a statue. Ut vinclis tenuit Petrum sic alta columna VII. A crowd assembled in front of a church. Sixtus regnum iniens indicit publica vota VIII. The Lateran Palace, with the Baptistery and Obelisk. Quintus restituit Laterana palatia Sixtus IX. A fountain erected by Sixtus. Fons felix celebri notus super Æthera versu The next two pictures are above the arches leading from the west end of the library into the corridor: X. Panorama of Rome as altered by Sixtus. Dum rectas ad templa vias sanctissima pandit XI. An allegorical representation of the Tiara, with adoring worshippers. Virgo intacta manet nec vivit adultera conjux With the following picture the series on the north wall begins: XII. Section of S. Peter's, with the dome. Virginis absistit mirari templa DianÆ; XIII. The Obelisk in the Circus of Nero. Maximus est obelus circus quem maximus olim XIV. The Tiber, with the Ponte Sisto, and the Ospedale di Santo Spirito. QuÆris cur tota non sit mendicus in Urbe: XV. A similar view. Jure Antoninum paulo vis Sixte subesse XVI. A similar view, with the Obelisk. Transfers Sixte pium transferre an dignior alter XVII. The Obelisk, now in front of S. Peter's, before it was removed. Qui Regum tumulis obeliscus serviit olim XVIII. A fleet at sea. Instruit hic Sixtus classes quibus Æquora purget Fig. 18. Rough groundplan of the great hall of the Vatican Library, to illustrate the account of the decoration. Fig. 18. Rough groundplan of the great hall of the Vatican Library, to illustrate the account of the decoration. |
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