Millions make pilgrimages to the Vatican every year out of religious devotion or artistic admiration. This year Minnesotans can make a much shorter journey.
Opening Sept. 27 at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, "Vatican Splendors" will feature 200 objects including mosaics, paintings, sculpture, the pastoral staff of Pope John Paul II, arms and armor of the pope's Swiss guards and assorted papal paraphernalia.
Describing the exhibit as "rare, priceless, magnificent," Minnesota Historical Society director Nina Archabal said it offers Minnesotans a "once-in-a lifetime opportunity."
This show is part of the museum's new direction toward "being a place for history in Minnesota rather than focusing on Minnesota history exclusively," said Kathryn Grimes, the society's marketing director.
About half of "Splendors" will be devoted to Vatican art and artifacts, including a Giotto mosaic, a 17th-century painting by Guercino, Michelangelo's drafting compass and a terra cotta maquette by Bernini. There will be a re-creation of the 2nd century tomb of St. Peter and a reliquary containing fragments of the saint's bones.
The other half deals with papal ceremonies, history and work. It will feature papal jewels, crosses and regalia plus portrait sculpture, garments and equipment including a white-smoke cartridge used to announce the selection of a new pope plus lavish gifts from Napoleon, the Dalai Lama and others.
The show is expected to run through the Christmas holidays, though an exact closing date has not been set, Grimes said. The St. Paul presentation is the last stop on a world tour.
MARY ABBE
