ONLY STOP IN THE MIDWEST

SAINT PETER AND THE VATICAN EXHIBITION
THE LEGACY OF THE POPES

ONE OF THE LARGEST collections of artwork and historic pieces from the Vatican, including never-before-seen pieces from the permanent collections of the Vatican museums, comes to The Milwaukee Public Museum February 4.

The museum at 800 W. Wells Street is the only Midwest venue for the exhibition, “Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes.” Presented by the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and supported by other foundations and corporations, the exhibit will continue through May 7 before leaving the U.S.

“It is an extraordinary exhibition that will mesmerize visitors of all backgrounds,” says Dan Finley, president and CEO of the museum. “The museum is delighted to provide the Milwaukee community and visitors to the region this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see timeless works of art in such a meaningful context.”

Objects trace 2,000 years of church history

More than 300 Vatican historic objects, documents and art are included in the exhibition, tracing 2,000 years of church leadership from Saint Peter to the election of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.

Portions of walls, doors, ceilings and foundations of the Vatican are re-created to provide an authentic backdrop. Visitors can follow the 176-year construction of Saint Peter’s Basilica and walk through a re-creation of the primitive scaffolding Michelangelo used when painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

The exhibition showcases personal items of the popes, such as papal portraits and handwritten letters, official diaries from papal conclaves, miters, tiaras, missals, vestments, chalices, pectoral crosses and rings. Masterworks of gold and silver, marble sculptures, intricately embroidered silk vestments, mosaic and painted portraits and jewels are among the items on display.

Settings create multi-sensory experience

By grouping the works in architectural settings, the exhibition immerses visitors in a multi-sensory experience. After a three-minute introductory video, the exhibit’s several galleries develop six themes: “Reproduction of the Tomb of Saint Peter”; “Building the Basilicas” (over the tomb); “The Sistine Chapel”; “Papal Liturgies”; “Into the World”; “Recent Papal History,” and “Into the New Millennium.”

The exhibition also features timelines that place key events in Christianity within the context of broader human history.

“The Milwaukee Public Museum provides the ideal venue for this extraordinary exhibition on the role of the papacy,” notes Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan. “The exhibition is sure to inspire and educate Catholics and non-Catholics alike on the successor of Saint Peter, his role in promoting international peace and justice and his historical commitment to increasing dialogue with other world religions.”

Bronze “handshake” from John Paul II

Among the most recent items from the Vatican are a bronze cast of the hand of the late John Paul II, his pastoral staff and other personal items. “It was the pope’s wish that a personal blessing, as well as a cast of his hand, welcome those visiting the exhibition,” explains museum CEO Finley.

The bronze cast is at the end of the exhibition and may be touched by visitors as they exit. Cecco Bonanotte, an internationally known sculptor who designed the doors for the new entrance to the Vatican Museums, created the cast. The piece was designed to serve as a “handshake” to people visiting the exhibition.

Advance tickets to the exhibition have been on sale since last April and continue to be recommended because demand is strong. Tickets, which include museum admission are $18.50 for adults (16-61); $17.50 for seniors (62 plus) and $11.50 for children (3-15). Call (414) 278-2728 or (888) 700-9069 or visit www.mpm.edu. Group discounts are available.

Same-day tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All tickets are timed entry.

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