Sistine Chapel Tapestries

Only seven of the ten original Cartoons, produced by Raphael, for the Sistine Chapel Tapestries, survive today. The Raphael Tapestries, as they have since become known, were created during the High Renaissance, and were commissioned, around 1515, by Pope Leo X. It is believed that the Raphael Tapestries were completed one year later, towards the end of 1516. This is because a final payment was recorded, made to Raphael, on December 20th, of that year. The Raphael Tapestries were first displayed in the Sistine Chapel, during the Christmas celebrations of 1519. It should be remembered, even though Raphael had completed the Cartoons for the Tapestries, they still had to be woven!

Today, the only surviving, drawn to scale, full size Cartoons, of the Raphael Tapestries, are on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum, situated in London, England. The Raphael Tapestries were only hung, in the Sistine Chapel, during important ceremonies. However, they were pillaged, just over ten years later, during the ‘Sack of Rome’, which occurred on May 6th, 1527. It is believed that the original Raphael Tapestries were burned, to retrieve the precious metals, usually woven into Tapestries of this caliber. Or, the Tapestries were cut into pieces and dispersed around Europe. There is a great possibility that both are true. It was customary, during these times, for the Victor to confiscate the Tapestries of the defeated party, and cut them down.

Tapestries were often taken into battle by Noblemen, as a display of their importance and wealth. As well as for practical reasons, such as shelter and warmth. The reason Tapestries were cut by the Victor, was to remove any coat of arms, or other similar icons, of the defeated enemy. This would also fragment the ‘story’ of the Tapestry, a story that would usually depict the nobleman in a heroic, somewhat iconic, light. Tapestries have always had a great role to play in history, especially with regards to propaganda. Regardless of whether that be for the Pope, or any other notable, important member of the Aristocracy.

The Raphael Tapestries depicted scenes from the Gospels. Specifically, the Life of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. Four, of the ten original, Raphael Tapestries were dedicated to the Life of Saint Peter. The four Tapestries were, “The Death of Ananias”, “The Miraculous Draught of Fishes”, “The Handing Over of the Keys” and “The Healing of the Lame Man”. The six remaining Raphael Tapestries were dedicated to the life of Saint Paul; “The Conversion of Saint Paul”, “Saint Paul in Prison”, “Saint Paul Preaching in Athens”, “The Blinding of Elymas, the Sorcerer”, “The Sacrifices in Lystra” and “The Stoning of Saint Peter”.

Both, Saints Peter and Paul were among the most significant of all the early Christian Missionaries, and both were sent to their deaths in Rome. Therefore, becoming Martyrs of the Christian Faith. In this way, Pope Leo X, who commissioned the Raphael Tapestries, was, most certainly, using the Tapestries as propaganda. The Sistine Chapel was originally restored by Pope Sixtus IV Della Rovere, during the late fifteenth century. Pope Leo X decided that the old Tapestries, of Pope Sixtus IV, which depicted “Christ’s Passion”, and were thought to have been produced in Jerusalem, were showing the strains of time. One might say, even tatty! Therefore, these Tapestries were no longer suitable to be used during the very important ceremonies, for which they were necessary.

It cannot go un-noticed, the Raphael Tapestries would also provide an excellent opportunity for Pope Leo X to make his own ‘mark’ upon, what was, and still remains, the most valued Chapel within Christendom. As it was customary for Tapestries of the period, Pope Leo X also ensured his own coat of arms was included within the borders of the Raphael Tapestries. Again, a good indication as to why his enemies would cut them into pieces, and was probably a major factor in sealing their fate! The Brussels workshop of Pieter Van Aelst made the Raphael Tapestries, as they did all the Tapestries produced for the Vatican. This workshop was thought to be the finest in Europe. The very first set of ten Tapestries, were always hung in the Sistine Chapel. Over time, for one reason or another, new sets have been created. The last, during the eighteenth century. In 1983, the complete set was, once again, displayed at the Sistine Chapel. However, most often, the Raphael Tapestries are not together, usually being on display at various Art institutions and museums around the world.

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