26-Aug-08 3:00 PM CST

Photo Descriptions

Object Photos

Mandylion of Edessa

3rd-5th century
Tempera on linen attached to wood, silver, gilt copper, various stones

65 x 45 x 21 cm
Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Vatican City State

Mosaic Fragment with Image of Saint Paul the Apostle

ca. 799 (restored by G. B. Calandra in 1625)
Mosaic

59.7 x 39.7 x 9 cm
Vatican Museums, Vatican City State

Cast of the Hand of Pope John Paul II

October 2002
Cecco Bonanotte (born 1942)
Bronze

100 x 100 x 10 cm
Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Vatican City State

Bust of Pope John Paul II

20^th century
Enrico Manfrini, Italy (born 1917)
Bronze

40 x 29 x 36 cm
Private collection, Vatican City State

Bust of an Angel

Giotto di Bondone (1267?-1337)
1310-1313 (?) (drawing)
Polychrome mosaic
92 x 98 x 6.5 cm
The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Thanka

Given by the XIV Dalai Lhama, Tibet
1978
Multi-colored silk, pearls, coral
165 x 111 cm
Vatican Museums, Vatican City State

Papal Tiara of Pius VII

(Gift from Napoleon Bonaparte)
1804
Henry Auguste and Nitot, Paris
Cask: wood, velvet, silk; crown: gold precious stones; top: emerald, gold

44 x 26 x 26 cm
Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Vatican City State

Votive Plaque from the Tomb of Saint Peter

6^th-7^th century
Gold

3.6 x 6.1 cm
The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Ring of Pope Pius VI (1775-1799)

1775
Gold, brilliant cut diamonds, blue glass

3.2 x 3 x 2.6 cm
Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Vatican City State

Statue of Saint Peter

Late 18^th – early 19^thcentury
Attributed to Workshop of Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Gilded wood

60 x 30 x 20 cm
Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Vatican City State

Cope of Pope Pius IX

19^th century
Red silk, gold leaf and silver thread, gold thread, metal bosses

280 x 120 cm (folded)
Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Vatican City State

Pastoral Staff of Pope John Paul II (1978-2005)

20th Century
Lello Scorzelli (1921 - 1997) and Manlio del Vecchio
Aluminum, silver

18 x 17.5 x 7.5 cm
Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Vatican City State

Table Cross of Pope Leo XIII

19^th century (1887)
Gold, diamonds, emeralds, pearls, sapphires

50 x 18.5 x 10.5 cm
Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Vatican City State

Compass of Michelangelo Buonarroti

16th century
Iron

80 x 66 x 3
The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Cathedra of Saint Peter (copy)

20^th century copy of 1705 original
Inlaid oak

140 x 85 x 65 cm
The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

Halberdier, Half-dress

20th century
Cloth, metal
Papal Swiss Guard, Vatican City State

Bascinet, Troops

16^th century
Metal

11.5” h x 16” w x 13” d
Papal Swiss Guard, Vatican City State

Exhibit Photos

Sistine Chapel Exhibit Room

This room examines the ceremony surrounding the death of a pope and the process of papal succession, which takes place within the Chapel.

Painting the Sistine Chapel

One of the exhibition's most dramatic rooms, this recreated environment takes visitors onto the scaffolding near the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to explore how Michelangelo painted his famous frescoes.

The Ancient Basilica

Bust of an Angel, a colorful mosaic attributed to the great 14th century painter, Giotto, is displayed in this gallery, along with architectural drawings, paintings and castings, telling the story of the original Saint Peter's Basilica built by the Roman emperor, Constantine.

To request a hi-res image, please contact:

Amanda Hooper

Risdall McKinney Public Relations

Phone: 651-286-6776

E-mail:Amanda@risdall.com

Jessica Kohen

Minnesota Historical Society

Phone: 651-259-3148

E-mail:Jessica.kohen@mnhs.org

These photo descriptions are available online at http://events.mnhs.org/media

For additional information on this release, please contact:

Mike Kempf