THE ABBEY IN THE OAKWOOD

At this juncture it is interesting to check some terms that pertain to the two main subjects addressed in this blog: art and religion. It should help the readers understand the content of the articles posted so far and get more information. The terms have been arranged alphabetically in order to make the glossary ‘easy on the eye.’ ALIENATION (n): the feeling that you have no connection with the people around you: alienación ‘Depressed people frequently feel a sense of alienation  from those around them.’ ARTWORK (n): an object made by an artist, e.g. a painting: obra de arte ATONEMENT (n): [formal] something that you do to show that you are sorry for something bad that you did (a sin); in Christian theology it also means the reconciliation between God and mankind through Jesus Christ: expiación TO ATTAIN (v): [formal] to succeed in getting something: alcanzar, lograr ‘Art can be a means to attain enlightenment.’ AWE (n): a feeling of great respect

OVERVIEW The Catholic Church, over the centuries, has been a great sponsor of the arts and under its shelter some of the most beautiful and remarkable artistic works have been created. Along with Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, the Rooms of Raphael are the magnificent frescoes that epitomize the High Renaissance in Rome. The four rooms, also known as Stanze of Raphael or Stanze di Raffaello, formed part of the apartment situated on the second floor of the Pontifical Palace (or Apostolic Palace) that was chosen by Julius II, pontiff from 1503 to 1513, as his own residence and was also used by his successors. He was the pope who also commissioned the rebuilding of the St. Peter’s Basilica and the decoration of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The pictorial decoration of the rooms was executed by Raphael and his school between 1508 and 1524. Portrait of Pope Julius II, by Raphael (1511-1512) National Gallery, London/Uffizi Gallery, Florence T he Room of Constantine,