The Vatican Apostolic Library has finally opened its gates to non-scholars. What has made this possible is the new contemporary art gallery that was inaugurated by Pope Francis himself.
The dedicated space will feature 21st century artists and will now be a permanent venue that supports and exhibits contemporary art.
The first-ever public exhibition is called Everyone: Humanity On It’s Way, and can be viewed till February 25, 2022. The display features Italian virtuoso Pietro Ruffo. The artist had been inspired by the most recent letter by the Pope that addressed the Catholic clergy. The inspiring copy was published in October, where the Pope talked about brotherhood and social friendship.
Ruffo found thematic inspiration in movement and migration, “underlining the difficulties and the beauty of the encounter between people of different origins”. For context, the exhibition will support the culture of encounter. Pope Francis, during the inauguration, was quoted saying, “cultures become sick when they become self-referential, when they exclude instead of integrate”.
The Vatican Museum’s pride is where history meets the present so, along with works by Ruffo, manuscripts, drawings and archives are also on display.
Ruffo voiced, “The encounter with the immense patrimony of the Vatican Apostolic Library was for me a journey into knowledge, geography, and the history of humanity, The dialogue between my research and the terrestrial and celestial maps of different eras and cultures outlines a humanity that is increasingly interconnected and responsible for the fragile relationship with its ecosystem.”
What do you think about the Vatican’s permanent contemporary art gallery? Tell us in comments.
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