A VISIT: to the Baptistry and Cathedral

A visit to the Baptistry and Cathedral 

Walking into the Baptistery might be a little underwelming  until your eye catches the light of the celling. This building is small in comparison to its neighbor, the Duomo and Cathedral. The overall shape is an octagon- a shape made up of eight sides, which gives the building as well as the art organization. One of the first things I noticed was the color of the ceiling- Gold- the eternal color. Gold is used for the background of most of the depictions- I think this helps exaggerate the scenes depicted in the artwork. Jesus is the focal point- he is significantly larger and is above the alter. However, one can not help but be preoccupied with the various pictures surrounding him. The ceiling  itself seems to be sectioned off into levels and boxes- 5 levels and 8 sections. I noticed that as you get higher it seems the roles of people are getting more significant. To the left of Jesus the the Devil and or monster looking animals eating people. I have seen depiction's like this before, in books and such but never in a holy place, such as this baptistry. I was curious about these satanic depictions, the devils and the people that they where eating. Obviously I know this represents hell and the underworld. To the right is what looks like an angel- taking people to heaven. Directly below Jesus are coffins where you can see people getting out and going in either directions- they most likely symbolizes the fact that people have a choice ( or they had a choice on earth) and are now predestined for their life after death. On the opposite side of the ceiling is the story of Jesus' life. I think the positioning of everything in the baptistry is very well though out. It seems that the intention is to make people feel threatened- “if you do not accept our religion, then this will happen” or, “if you do, then this will happen.” Personally, I really do not like the idea of putting this on the ceiling of a public building associated with- of all things- baptisms! I  makes me think that the Catholic church is trying to scare people into believing something. Also I felt as though the priests lining the windows where in place to be looking down in judgement ( I felt this in many churches around, especially the Duomo in Siena) The top window reminded me of a peep hole for God- a place where he can put his eye up to to see who is inside. 

Some things I would like to ask the artist:

Why is the left side associated with the devil?

What are the egg looking things that the angels are holding?

Why is the ceiling so ornate and the alter so plan in comparison ( wouldn't this distract the people from what is being said at alter?) 

Is your art meant to intimidate people? ( or are they trying to show people what amazing things they can create with faith?)

If one thinks the satanic depictions in the baptistry are graphic, the artwork in the inside of the Dumo will really be upsetting. I remember by initial impression of it being kind of  freaked out and it being very unexpected. I was very confused and distracted as to why there where so many graphic images of devils, creatures from the underworld, people being eaten, and people's facial expressions being helpless. Honestly, it was so distracting that I did not really pay much attention to the angels, images of heaven, and jesus that was painted. The style of artwork was off-putting as well. It almost looked as though it could have been done yesterday, simply because of the way the people are pained. It was not nearly as detailed as what I have been seeing in other such churches. 

Overall, both buildings gave me a different perspective on Christianity and how they can use art in different ways to create a sense of fear in people. 

-Claire Shumaker