Customize Framing or choose Canvas Print
Customize Canvas or choose Framed Art Print
Click to save as artist's preferred kit Paper
★★★☆☆ Details
Style
1½ inches thick (3.75 cm)
Product Details Artist grade canvas, archival inks, wooden stretcher bars, and UVB protective coating
Product Details Artist grade canvas, archival inks, wooden stretcher bars, and UVB protective coating
Artist Lisa Lu
Collection Watercolors
Description 11x15 Watercolor;In 1563, at the age of 88, Michelangelo was asked by Pius IV to create three proposals for converting the frigidarium (large cold pool) of the Baths of Diocletian into a basilica. Part of the motive was to honor the Christian slaves who died while constructing the bathhouse. Upon completion, the Catholic Church was named the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs. Pius IV was interred inside. From 1870 until 1946, Santa Maria degli Angeli was the state church for the Kingdom of Italy. The basilica is still a venue for official ceremonies of the Italian State. In the foreground is a marvelous fountain at Piazza della Repubblica.Later on in the 18th century, a meridian sun dial had been built in a Spanish church that, while Christian, was not in Rome. To rectify this disparity of grandeur the sitting pope had the meridian line clock at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs built. The location was chosen for a number of practical reasons including the buildings Southernly orientation, high ceilings, and historic architecture which had little chance of shifting (which would eventually make the meridian clock less accurate). However the more salient reasoning behind the meridians placement was the basilica sites former use as a Roman bath. The pope saw this as a fitting symbol of the victory of the infallible Gregorian calendar over the secular beliefs of ancient times.The meridian clock remains in working order to this day. Each day the sun aligns perfectly with a hole in the basilicas ceiling sending a ray of light that lands on the line at exact noon. The time of year can also be determined by where on the line the light falls, as it veers towards either end of the line approaching each solstice. The line itself is made of bronze, encased in white marble, making not only surprisingly accurate, but beautiful as well.
Popular Configurations
Stretched Canvas
Modern Lines
Contemporary White
Natural Clear Maple
Unframed print
Stretched Canvas
Modern Lines
Contemporary White
Natural Clear Maple
Unframed print
Explore
Catalog Details
Product No 6933997
Subjects Architecture, Historic Buildings, Landmarks
Style Drawing
Medium
Tags Basilica-of-St-Mary-of-the-Angels-&-Martyrs, Lisa, Lu, ceiling, meridian-clock, rome, watercolors
Product No 6933997
Subjects Architecture, Historic Buildings, Landmarks
Style Drawing
Medium
Tags Basilica-of-St-Mary-of-the-Angels-&-Martyrs, Lisa, Lu, ceiling, meridian-clock, rome, watercolors