Papal ceremony in St. Peter's in Rome under the canopy of Bernini 

Curator: Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres painted "Papal Ceremony in St. Peter's in Rome under the Canopy of Bernini" using watercolor to capture this moment. What stands out to you upon first viewing it? Editor: The immensity of the space is overwhelming, almost dizzying. The figures seem so small and formal compared to the architecture. Curator: Ingres directs our attention to the towering, twisted columns designed by Bernini. They visually dominate, compressing the sacred ritual unfolding below into almost a theatrical scene. Notice the repetitive forms of the crowd and the hierarchical placement of the clergy nearest the altar. Editor: Exactly! Ingres seems less concerned with the specifics of the ceremony, and more so with depicting a sense of awe and hierarchy. It subtly conveys power. It seems like a visual testament to the Church's historical and structural authority. Were watercolors often used for grand subjects such as this? Curator: Precisely! While the artwork feels like an idealized depiction of ceremony, the translucent watercolor medium also contributes a slightly detached sensibility, adding a layer of complexity to the subject matter. Traditionally, watercolors served for preliminary sketches and landscapes, but Ingres’ portraits were quite famous. The scale of this work emphasizes architectural elements. Editor: Looking at it, I’m thinking about what Ingres is aiming at portraying: this image seems staged; do you think Ingres has portrayed the true essence of that event and place? Is this ceremony serving also as backdrop for an artful arrangement? Curator: That is very pertinent; if you remove from your mind the significance of this subject matter, and if you allow yourself to ponder on colors and perspective, you see past the artifice to engage with Ingres' approach. I find a sophisticated, somewhat unsettling visual language here. Editor: Yes, and that perhaps, makes us contemplate this painting beyond the immediately visible. Curator: Well, that’s definitely something to contemplate, I must agree.