Musei Vaticani Biblioteca Apostolica

Signed, titled, dated and from edition of 5 on artist’s label on verso.

Available in 3 sizes: 100 x 120 cm. (39.4 x 47.2 in.), 120 x 150 cm. (47.2 x 59.1 in.), 180 x 225 cm. (70.9 x 88.6 in.)

Massimo Listri’s “Musei Vaticani Biblioteca Apostolica” captures the grandeur and historical significance of the Vatican Library. This photograph provides a glimpse into a space steeped in history and architectural beauty, reflecting the evolution of one of the world’s most significant repositories of knowledge.

The origins of the Vatican Library trace back to the early popes of the 4th century, who stored their books and papers in a scrinium, or chest. By the 8th century, the collection was managed by a designated librarian. The library’s continuous development was interrupted during the Middle Ages, leading to the scattering of its initial holdings. It wasn’t until around 1450 that Pope Nicholas V reestablished the library as part of his Renaissance vision for the papal palace. By 1475, the library occupied four rooms on the ground floor, decorated by the era’s most celebrated painters under the direction of Sixtus IV. The erudite humanist Bartolomeo Platina, appointed librarian by Sixtus IV, catalogued the manuscripts and wrote the “Lives of the Popes.”

The modern Vatican Library’s history began with Sixtus V, who in the late 16th century initiated the construction of a new building in the Cortile del Belvedere, previously an open-air space for Renaissance popes’ festivities. This new building, designed by architect Domenico Fontana, symbolized a new moral authority and housed over 20,000 volumes. The Salone Sistino (Sistine Hall), named after Sixtus V, measures an imposing 70 by 15 meters and features an ambitious fresco program. The hall’s twin vaulted ceilings and wooden cabinets housing the most valuable manuscripts and books make it a benchmark for subsequent libraries, such as the Imperial Court Library in Vienna.

Listri’s photograph captures the imposing elegance of the Biblioteca Apostolica. The vast hall, with its intricate frescoes and vaulted ceilings, is bathed in a soft, diffused light that highlights the architectural details and the ornate decorations. The symmetry and perspective of the shot draw the viewer’s eye down the length of the hall, emphasizing its grandeur and the meticulous craftsmanship that went into its creation.

Through Listri’s lens, the Vatican Library is presented not just as a repository of books and manuscripts but as a testament to the enduring legacy of knowledge and scholarship. The photograph invites viewers to appreciate the historical and cultural significance of the library, reflecting its role as a center of learning and a symbol of the Renaissance spirit of inquiry and humanism.