Through the eye of the dragon: An examination of the artistic patronage of Pope Gregory XIII (1572-1585)

Abstract

Through the Eye of the Dragon: An Examination of the Artistic Patronage of Pope Gregory XIII (1572-1585)

Jacqueline Christine Carey

This thesis is an interrogation of the artistic patronage of Pope Gregory XIII (1572-1585). It examines Gregory XIII as an individual patron, a status which draws together his self declared influences, his scholarship, his belief in education, and his dedication to the law. All of these factors contributed to the shaping of his patronage. This thesis?s examination of these factors sets out to build a broad, complex, and explicit framework, one which informs an intense analytic reading of his artistic programmes.

Chapter one explores the interpretive scope of the ?Counter-Reformation? label commonly used to describe and interpret the patronage of Gregory XIII. This chapter argues that the ?Counter-Reformation? label is too general, reductionist, and ill-defined to be useful in providing an in-depth and holistic reading of his artistic programmes. An alternative framework is proposed which makes explicit the doctrinal and theological dynamics that inform Gregory XIII?s patronage. Chapter two examines the antecedent influences that determined Gregory XIII?s approach to patronage. This chapter then goes on to provide a narrative overview of this patronage. From this overview, a picture of Gregory XIII?s coherence and consistency of intent emerges that is wholly focused on strengthening participation in the Church. Gregory XIII consistently sought to precipitate active worship and devotion, active participation in the sacraments. He did this through the engagement of the laity, through education and training of the clergy, and through the continued revision of liturgical books. His aim was to provide a clear universal standard for the celebration of the liturgy and for the encouragement of wide-scale informed participation. Chapters three and four apply this understanding of Gregory XIII?s referential framework and his established pattern of patronage with a view to offering an interpretation of the Gregorian Chapel and the Galleria delle Carte Geografiche. Chapter three argues that the Gregorian Chapel is not only offering an intense, immersive spiritual experience for worshippers but also a profound assertion of fundamental doctrine as explained through the theology of the Doctors of the Church represented in the chapel. Chapter four argues that the overarching theme of the Galleria is the conceptualisation of Italy as a spiritual dominion constituted out of the active participation of the laity and clergy in the beliefs of the Church under the authority of Pope Gregory XIII. The venerated deeds of holy men on the vault of the Galleria provide virtuous examples of this active participation in the faith mediated by Church, all emanating from the lands of Italy below the vault.