Vatican Artworks on Display in Independence Park

Vatican Artworks on Display in Independence Park
Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, 04/20/2011

The Ministry of Culture inaugurated the “Treasures of the Vatican” art exhibition which is on display along the perimeter of Independence Park.

“this exhibition constitutes the most representative of all religious art displays to have ever been shown in our country as it covers the historic trajectory of the artistic heritage of the Catholic Church, collected and treasured over many centuries.”

The inaugural act was overseen by the Minister of Culture, José Rafael Lantigua and
S.E.R. Nicolás de Jesús Cardinal López Rodríguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo; Monsignor Jozef Wesolowski, Papal Nuncio; Deputy Minister Alexander Santana, Mateo Morrison and Lourdes Camilo de Cuello; Alejandro Arvelo, Director General of the Book Fair and María Elena Ditrén, Director of the Museum of Modern Art and curator of the exhibition.

José Rafael Lantigua said “this exhibition constitutes the most representative of all religious art displays to have ever been shown in our country as it covers the historic trajectory of the artistic heritage of the Catholic Church, collected and treasured over many centuries.”

He said the Dominican people are honored to be hosting this series of historically valuable artwork as part of the Public Arts Project of Independence Park.

“We sincerely thank the Vatican authorities, especially His Excellency R. Gianfranco Cardinal Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Cultural Council for allowing this valuable collection to leave the Vatican to be shown for the first time in the Dominican Republic,” said the Culture Minister.
 
Papal Nuncio, Josef Wesolowski, stressed that the effort made by Culture Minister José Rafael Lantigua and his entire team who put the exhibition together are part of making people feel closer to God as they view these works of art created by the most famous artists in history. 

Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez expressed his satisfaction of having worked with the Culture Ministry authorities in preparing the presentation of the artwork and he invited the Dominican people to come and enjoy them.

The exhibition is made up 120 photographs, divided into eleven groups, murals, frescos, tapestries and paintings, which form part of the cultural heritage of the Vatican, one of the wealthiest and most diverse collections in the world.

Among the groups at the exhibition are: Museo Pío Cristiano which is made up of statues, sarcophagi, inscriptions and archeological remains of Paleo-Christian art;
Pinacoteca Vaticana, a building that houses a collection of paintings belonging to various Popes and, finally, the Catacombs, the underground cemeteries of the first Christian communities.

The Loggias, upon which the most significant stories of Genesis, Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses are inscribed, in addition to Joseph and King Solomon and scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.

Also part of the exhibit, for the first time in the country, will be images of the Borgia Chambers, Raphael’s Rooms, The Tapestry Gallery, The Immaculate Hall, Paulina’s Chapel, the Sistine Chapel and the Nicolina Chapel.

The exhibition will be open from April 15 to May 30 and is part of the Pre-Inaugural events of the XIV International Book Fair, Santo Domingo 2011.

María Elena Ditrén, Curator of the exhibition; José Rafael Lantigua,        Minister of Culture; Nicolás de Jesús Cardinal López Rodríguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo;  Monsignor Jozef Wesolowski, Papal Nuncio; Alejandro Arvelo, Director General of the Book Fair and Monsignor Víctor Masalles.


Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, inviting the Dominican people to enjoy the Vatican exhibition.

Exhibition “Artistic Treasures of the Vatican” Independence Park.