The motivation for going was the Vatican Splendors display. It was OK. (I thought some of the things were very cool but I don't think it was as cool as a Vatican Display we saw at the art museum four or five years ago.) Even so, it had its moments. What I thought was very cool:
*Replica of the Pieta -- This was a cast done in 1975, made from a cast of the original that was done in 1930. That cast was very important as its existence helped to restore the statue in 1972 after some freak, claiming to be Jesus, wigged out and attacked the 15th Century masterpiece.
*Several portraits, including one of St. George, that had never before been displayed outside the Vatican.
* Frescos of several ancient popes which survived an 1823 fire of the 4th Century Basilica of St. Paul.
*Mock-up of the workspace of Michelangelo during the painting of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling.
We spent a little more than an hour in the display itself. We meandered into a meager display from the World's Fair (1904)and logged at least another hour in the gift shop.
Photos were forbidden in the Vatican display but I snapped these at the World's Fair section.
The stuff they had was neat but I was surprised that it was so sparse.
Another of my favorite things was the view as soon as you entered the door.
The short version of this story is that we only scratched the surface. We didn't get to see much of their offerings at all. So you just know we'll have to go back!
