Reflection Paper In Art History

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Today we toured the Piazza Navona, Campo Marzio, the Piazza Colona, and the via del fori imperiali, in addition to the churches of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and the Pantheon (Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs). On this first day, it was amazing to see in person what we’ve talked about in class and to understand how Christianity has affected Rome via its copious churches and how the early times of the city affected it even now. Regarding the Piazzas Navona and Colona, I enjoyed seeing how the papacy and artists of Italy have influenced the architecture and culture of Rome today, such as their influence of the façades of the churches and statues around the city. The Piazza Navona’s obelisk and fountain patronized by a pope were beautiful! I wish I was able to look at the fountain more in order to see the fullness of its …show more content…

Mary Major, St. John Lateran and the Pantheon, I think the former was absolutely beautiful, especially its ceiling and main apse. I am beginning to recognize how the Art History class I took last year is helping me, and I am grateful for being able to apply what I’ve learned there and in this class on this trip so far. Taking that class and learning about Rome for the past six weeks has allowed me to have a greater appreciation for the intentionality and dedication put into the churches and art around Rome. St. John Lateran’s history was captivating; I never knew it was the first legal Christian church in Rome and that it was considered to be on the city’s outskirts. The Pantheon was great to see, too, but I wish we could have spent more time in it today and that we could even go to mass there. The fact that it was formally a temple of gods and is now a church dedicated to Mary and the saints is ironic and quite a smart move by the Church! What better way to spread the Gospel through the beauty of art and architecture than by taking over what was a major Roman temple which just so happens to be a major tourist

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