Neoplatonism: Adam Kadmon (primordial human) of, 197, 199; architectural design metaphor of, 138–40; Catholic Church’s rejection of, 64–67; Ficino’s teachings on, 62–64; five levels of human soul central to, 77–78; Fons Vitae (Fountain of life) on, 63; imagery of, 34; theory of love of, 245; triangle symbolism of, 86, 148–49
nepotismo (nepotism), 8, 105
Netzach (“victory”), 71 fig, 180
Niccolina Chapel, 7
Nicholas V, Pope, 7
nicodemismo practice, 281
Nicodemus symbolism, 281
nine (Truth) symbolism, 240
Noah: drunkenness of, 190–92, 210–12; flood story and, 206–8
Numbers 21:4–10, 163
number symbolism: five, 226, 227 fig, 228–29; nine (Truth) and eighteen (Life), 240–41; seven, 16–17, 179–81, 184, 189
obscene gestures (Sistine Chapel), 136 fig, 176–77 fig, 178, 195 fig–97, 210, 300
Ochino, Bernardino, 259
Old Testament, 190
On the Kabbalah and Its Symbolism (Scholem), 189
De Opificio Mundi (Philo of Alexandria), 138–39
opus alexandrinum (Alexandrian work), 14
Oriental carpet symbolism, 35
Original Sin panel (Sistine Chapel), 69, 80
Palatial Chapel (la Cappella Palatina): origins and decline of, 7, 8, 9; rebuilding of, 10–11
Palatine Chapel, 22. See also Sistine Chapel (la Cappella Sistina)
Palatine Hill, 7
papacy: Babylonian exile of, 20, 47–48; burial rites/planning for popes, 104–5; Conclave (election of new pope) and, 296; Jewish doctors treating members of the, 119; nepotismo (nepotism) corruption of, 8, 105; papal years from new pope election, 104. See also Catholic Church; Vatican City (Città del Vaticano)
Il Papa Terribile (Pope Julius II), 106, 113, 156
Paradiso (Dante), 94
par’shiyot (Torah weekly read portions), 190
Paul III, Pope, 249, 250, 272, 273, 283, 284
Paul IV, Pope, 285–86, 295. See also Carafa, Cardinal Gian Pietro
Pazzi clan, 56, 57
Pentateuch. See Torah (Pentateuch)
Persian sibyl (Sistine Chapel), 173–74 fig, 178
Perugino, Umbrian, 18, 19, 20, 21
Petrarch, 97
Philo of Alexandria, 14, 138–39, 149
Pico (Count Giovanni Pico della Mirandola), 61, 65–67, 68, 70, 80, 87
Piero de’ Medici, 83
Piero the Gouty (de’ Medici), 54
Pietà (Michelangelo), 91–95
Pinturicchio, 18, 19, 36
Pius III, Pope, 105
Pius IV, Pope, 286–87
Plague of Serpents spandrel (Sistine Chapel), 163–64, 167
Plato, 52, 53, 54, 57, 80
Platonic Academy (Florence), 52, 53, 61, 62
“Platonic” love, 64
Plotinus, 142
pointillism technique, 258
Pole, Cardinal Reginald, 259, 261, 283, 284
Poliziano (Angelo Ambrogini of Montepulciano), 59–61, 87
Polydoros, 111
Pontelli, Bartolomeo (“Baccio”), 3, 10, 11, 304
Porphyry, 142
Porta Pia (gate to Rome), 286 fig–87
Primavera (Botticelli), 33 fig–34
Prisoners in Stone (Michelangelo), 298 fig
Proverbs 9:1, 168
Pseudo-Phocylides, 67–68, 124, 176
Purgatory (Dante), 275
putti (angelic figures): number five symbolism of, 226, 227 fig; obscene gestures by, 136 fig, 177 fig
Rachel (Michelangelo), 274 fig, 275
Rafanelli, Giovanni, 116
Raphael: coded signature used by, 30–31 fig; portrait of Julius II by, 106 fig; The School of Athens by, 15, 31 fig, 119; Seal of Solomon used by, 15
Rashi, 95
Renaissance art: Catholic Church patronage of, 25–26; coded protests and insults in, 29–31; concealing forbidden knowledge in, 31–34; deciphering the “esoteric knowledge” in, 34–37; historic use of codes in, 24–29; “special effects” used in, 37–40
repentance, 224–26
The Republic (Plato), 52
Riario, Cardinal Raffaele, 18, 89, 91
Riario, Girolamo, 18
Righteous Women/Men (Elect) [Sistine Chapel], 255 fig–56
Rome: Arch of Titus in, 16 fig; established as Catholic Church capital, 48; Porta Pia gate to, 286 fig–87; St. Peter’s Basilica in, 106–7, 112–13, 279–80. See also Vatican City (Città del Vaticano)
Rome (sacking of) [1527], 241–42
Romulus and Remus, 5, 7
Romulus (Roman Emperor), 49
Rosselli, Cosimo, 14, 17, 18, 21
della Rovere, Cardinal Giuliano, 105–6. See also Julius II, Pope
della Rovere clan, 29, 243–44, 294
ruach HaShem (Divine Wind, or Breath), 34
sacking of Rome (1527), 241–42
Sacred and Profane Love (Zeri), 30
Sacrifice of Noah panel (Sistine Chapel), 206–8
St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City), 4 fig, 106–7, 112–13, 279–80
Salmon-Booz-Obeth lunette (Sistine Chapel), 219 fig–20
Salvadori, Roberto G., 53
“same as-below-so-above” reflection, 142–43
Sarah (wife of Abraham), 94–95
Sarfati, Schmuel, 119, 120, 130
Savanarola, Girolamo, 80–83, 86, 88, 96, 125
Scenes from the Life of Moses (Botticelli), 220–21
Scholem, Gershom, 189
The School of Athens (Raphael), 15, 31 fig, 119
Seal of Solomon (Star of David), 14–17, 143
Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) [1962], 156, 289
Separation of Heaven and Earth panel (Sistine Chapel), 195 fig–96
Seurat, Georges, 258
seven days of creation, 179
Seven Middot, 179–81, 184, 189
seven symbolism, 16–17, 179–81, 184, 189
Seymour, Charles, 97
Shakespeare, William, 35
Sibylline Books (forgery), 68, 176
sibyls (Sistine Chapel): Classical world basis of, 170–71; Cumaean, 175–78, 177 fig, 178; Delphic, 171–72 fig, 177; Eritrean, 172–73 fig; Libyan, 174–75 fig, 177–78; Persian, 173–74 fig, 178
sign language for deaf, 35–36
Signorelli, Luca, 18, 103
simony (Greed), 267–68 fig
Sistine Chapel ceiling: The Ancestors panel of, 145–56; “bridging” function of, 305–6; central strip of, 187–212; challenges faced by Michelangelo for, 117, 120–22; completion and triumph of, 123; Creation of Adam panel of, 197–201; Creation of Eve panel of, 201–2 fig; creation panels of, 193–202 fig; Drunkenness of Noah panel of, 190–92, 210–12; faux architectural framework of, 138–43, 146; The Flood panel of, 208 fig–10; “flying bow bridge” scaffold designed for, 118, 287, 290, 305–6; The Forbidden Fruit panel of, 202–6; four spandrels (pennacchi) of the, 157–67; as funeral monument of Julius II, 299–300; The Garden of Eden panel of, 69, 202–6, 211–12; Hebrew prophets of, 178–86, 189; influence of Kabbalistic thinking on, 73, 119; initial triptychs (three-panel) design of, 191–92; Jeremiah panel of, 183, 184, 213–21 fig; Jewish figures depicted in, 124–25, 150–56; Jonah panel of, 183, 183–84, 184, 223–32; Julius II’s plans for, 115–23; major design components of the, 131–32; the “official story” on, 123–28; Original Sin panel of, 69, 80; as purposely untitled by Michelangelo, 302–4; Sacrifice of Noah panel of, 206–8; Salmon-Booz-Obeth lunette of, 219 fig–20; scaffolding dismantled for public display of, 192; as self-portrait of Michelangelo, 300–301; Separation of Heaven and Earth panel of, 195 fig–96; sibyls of, 169–78; trompe l’oeuil element of, 131, 138, 146, 163, 189; Wikipedia on, 124, 125; Zechariah panel of, 132–35, 136 fig, 158, 181 fig. See also Julius II, Pope; Michelangelo’s works
Sistine Chapel (la Cappella Sistina): “The Bridge” metaphor of, 305–6; cleaning and restoration (1980) of
, 290; the Conclave (election of new pope) held in, 296; engraving of (1481), 10 fig; Jerusalem Temple heichal reproduced in, 6, 11–12, 137, 141, 294–95; The Last Judgment panel of, 81, 82 fig, 129, 249–58, 262–72, 287; meaning of Michelangelo’s, 296–97; meaning of the pre-Michelangelo, 293–95; original fifteenth-century fresco sabotage of, 17–22, 111–12, 294; original ceiling to floor designs of the, 12–17; public “rehabilitation” announcement on Michelangelo and, 290; as replacement of Jerusalem Temple, 294–95; as self-portrait of Michelangelo, 300–301; typical tourist experience with, 129–30; view from St. Peter’s Cathedral, 4 fig. See also Palatine Chapel The Sistine Chapel (Mancinelli), 123–24 Sistine Chapel secret symbolism: ALEF, 216–19; of The Ancestors panel, 145–56; central strip, 187–212; of creation panels, 193–202 fig; of four spandrels (pennacchi), 157–67, 184–85; “giving the fig” and obscene gestures, 136 fig, 176–77 fig, 178, 195 fig–97, 210, 300; of Hebrew Prophets as Seven Middot, 178–86, 189; hidden internal organs painting as, 199–200; image of Zechariah as, 132–36; of Jewish faces depicted, 124–25, 150–56; of The Last Judgment panel, 251–58, 262–72; Michelangelo’s self-portrait as, 264; number five, 226, 227 fig, 228–29; number seven, 179–81, 184, 189; oak leaves, 29; of original fifteenth-century fresco sabotage of, 17–22, 111–12, 294; “same as-below-so-above” reflection, 142; Seal of Solomon as, 14–17, 143; serpent and angel as, 205–6; sibyls of, 169–78; Sistine as self-portrait of Michelangelo, 300–301; triangle as, 148–49; untitled status as, 302–4; Wisdom, 197, 199–201; yellow badge, 155 fig–56. See also codes (secret symbols); Kabbalistic thinking; symbolism; Tree of Life (Ten S’firot)
site-specific artwork, 239 Sixtus IV, Pope: early life of, 7–8; oak life symbolism representing, 29; Palatine Chapel rebuilt by, 10–12; personal agenda of, 20, 22, 25, 48, 293–94; political and religious issues facing, 8–10; rivalry between Medici family and, 17–18, 57
Soderini, Piero, 96, 100–101, 108
“sodomy,” 64, 65–66, 243
Sofia (Wisdom), 197, 199, 201 spandrels (Sistine Chapel): David and Goliath, 158, 162, 166 fig; Esther and Haman, 158, 160 fig, 162–63, 166–67, 191; Judith and Holofernes, 158, 159 fig–62, 165, 184–85; Plague of Serpents, 163–64, 167
“special effects”: environmental encoding of, 37–40; trompe l’oeuil (“deceive the eye”), 39–40, 131, 138, 146, 163, 189
Star of David (Magen David), 14–17, 143
Stein, Gertrude, 259
successionism doctrine: described, 11; St. Peter’s pyramid monument illustration of, 298; story of Moses symbolism of, 19
symbolism: of David (Michelangelo) as Florence, 99; embedded in post-Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, 240–41; forbidden knowledge, 31–34; Judaism, Christianity, and Classical world triangle, 86, 148–49; Kabbalistic meditational device, 14, 34, 35; Middle Path (path of the righteous), 189–90; Mozart’s use of Masonic, 34–35; neck, 304–5; Neoplatonic imagery, 34; of Nicodemus figure, 281; number five, 226, 227 fig, 228–29; number seven, 16–17, 179, 179–81, 184, 189; numbers nine (Truth) and eighteen (Life), 240–41; of oak for della Rovere clan, 29; opus alexandrinum (Alexandrian work), 14; Oriental carpet, 35; of Pietà’s youthful face, 94–95; of Porta Pia (gate to Rome), 286 fig–87; Rachel and Leah as Faith, 275; “same as-below-so-above” reflection, 142–43; Seal of Solomon (Star of David), 14–17, 143; “The Stairway” (Virgin Mary), 77; story of Moses as successionism, 19; Wisdom, 197, 199–201. See also codes (secret symbols); Sistine Chapel secret symbolism
Talmud: decree forbidden temple reproduction, 6; on Esther and Haman story, 166–67; flood story in the, 209; forbidden fruit/Tree of Knowledge story in, 203–6; Jonah’s story in the, 223–26; medieval burnings of, 153, 283; “the neck of the world” metaphor for Temple in, 304–5; “Talmudic logic” of, 70; tradition regarding Moses and the, 237–38. See also Judaism
Ten S’firot. See Tree of Life (Ten S’firot)
Tiferet (“beauty”), 71 fig, 180
Titian, 30
Toklas, Alice B., 259
Tommaso dei Cavalieri, 244–46, 262–63, 264–65 fig, 287
Tondo Doni (Michelangelo), 102 fig–3
Torah (Pentateuch): as blueprint of the universe, 139–40; Kabbalah mysticism on the, 14; Middle Path (path of the righteous) found in, 190; par’shiyot (weekly read portions) of, 190; tradition regarding Moses and the, 237–38. See also Judaism
Torrigiano, Pietro, 74–75
Tree of Knowledge, 203–6
Tree of Life (Ten S’firot): Chessed (“mercy”), 71 fig, 180, 185, 189, 232, 269; Gevurah (“severity”), 71 fig, 180, 184, 189, 269; God revealed through, 200–201; Hod (“glory, majesty”), 71 fig, 180; human body links to, 71 fig; as Kabbalistic meditational device, 14; The Last Judgment panel depiction of, 269–70; Malchut (“kingdom”), 71 fig, 179; male and female characteristics of, 148, 269–70; meaning of representation of, 72; Netzach (“victory”), 71 fig, 180; Seven Middot characteristics represented by, 179–80; Sistine Chapel depiction of, 142; Tiferet (“beauty”), 71 fig, 180; Yesod (“foundation”), 180. See also Kabbalistic thinking; Sistine Chapel secret symbolism
triangle symbol, 86, 148–49
trompe l’oeuil (“deceive the eye”): description of, 39–40; as Sistine Chapel architecture element, 131, 138, 146, 189; Sistine Chapel image of Haman using, 163
University of Bologna, 32, 84
Valdé, Juan de, 258–61, 281 Vannini, Ottavio, Lorenzo and the Artists of His Court, 55 fig
Vasari, Giorgio, 43, 99
Vatican City (Città del Vaticano): description of, 6; “fifth column” inside the, 261–62; Michelangelo’s angry poem on, 125–26, 267; past historic meaning of, 4–6; sacking (1527) of Rome and, 241–42; symbolic meaning of, 6–7; Vatican Library of, 9 fig; Vatican Museums of, 110. See also Catholic Church; papacy; Rome
Vatika (Etruscan goddess), 5
Venusti, Marcello, 262–63
Victory (Michelangelo), 245–46 fig, 247 fig
Virgin Mary: The Last Judgment panel depiction of, 257 fig, 262; Pietà (Michelangelo) depiction of, 91–95; “The Stairway” symbolism of, 77
Westminster Abbey (London), 13
Wikipedia, 124, 125
Wilder, Thornton, 305
“wind talkers” (Navaho soldiers), 23–24
Wisdom symbolism, 197, 199–201
Wren, Sir Christopher, 301
Yesod (“foundation”), 180
Yetzer ha-Ra (inclination toward evil), 206, 212
Yetzer ha-Tov (inclination toward good), 206, 212
Yom Kippur, 224–25
Zechariah (Sistine Chapel): flanked by spandrels, 158; putti (angelic figures) with, 136 fig; Seven Middot symbolism of, 181 fig; symbolism of, 132–35
Zeri, Federico, 30
About the Authors
RABBI BENJAMIN BLECH is an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, author, and lecturer. A recipient of the American Educator of the Year Award, he has been a professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University since 1966. He is the author of eleven books and has written for the New York Times, Newsweek, and Newsday. He lives in New York City. Visit the author online at www.benjaminblech.com.
ROY DOLINER’s studies span the spectrum of the humanities: languages, comparative religion, art history, Italian and Roman history, and Judaica (including Talmud, Midrash and Kabbalah). He is often called upon to act as a docent for scholars and international dignitaries to Rome and the Vatican Museums. He divides his time between Rome and New York City. Visit the author online at www.roydoliner.com.
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Credits
Cover design: Claudine Mansour
Cover art: Ceiling Fresco Cycle at Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1508–1512, Vatican City, Rome, Italy. Image by © Jim Zuckerman/Corbis
Copyright
Images not available for electronic edition.
THE SISTINE SECRETS. Copyright © 2008 by
Benjamin Blech and Roy Doliner. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
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