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Vatican Gets Back in the Art Biz

Project aims to revive church's role as a sponsor of the arts

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 13, 2008 7:54 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Vatican was the world's biggest buyer of modern art in the days when modern art meant Michelangelo, but its influence on art has ebbed in recent centuries. The church now plans to put itself back in the forefront of the art world, Newsweek reports. A commission of critics and clergy will search for artists able to put a new twist on ancient spiritual themes.

"We have made great progress with innovative church designs by top architects," says the monsignor spearheading the project. "Now we need artwork of the level we inspired centuries ago." Of course there may be resistance to contemporary work from some quarters: Last year Cologne's cardinal called for the removal of a stained glass window designed by Gerhard Richter. And to fulfill the mission, the Vatican will also have to find Medici-style patrons to finance commissions.

Jeff Koons' 1988 sculpture, Michael Jackson and Bubbles, is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago on Thursday, May 29, 2008.
Jeff Koons' 1988 sculpture, "Michael Jackson and Bubbles," is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago on Thursday, May 29, 2008.   (AP Photo)
A work by modern artist Jeff Koons juxtaposed with Michelangelo's 'Pieta.'
A work by modern artist Jeff Koons juxtaposed with Michelangelo's 'Pieta.'   (Getty Images)
Michelangelo created Pieta in 1499.
Michelangelo created "Pieta" in 1499.   (Archive Photos)
Two  works of Vatican art depicting angels, a 1748 model painting, rear, and a painted wood carving, front, are shown June 7, 2007.
Two works of Vatican art depicting angels, a 1748 model painting, rear, and a painted wood carving, front, are shown June 7, 2007.   (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Creation of Adam, painted by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.
The Creation of Adam, painted by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.   ((c) Sebastian Bergmann)
Sun shines through the new window (partly view) of the Cologne Cathedral, designed by German glass artist Gerhard Richter, in Cologne, Germany, on Monday, Aug. 27, 2007.
Sun shines through the new window (partly view) of the Cologne Cathedral, designed by German glass artist Gerhard Richter, in Cologne, Germany, on Monday, Aug. 27, 2007.   (AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz)
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We have made great progress with innovative church designs by top architects. Now we need artwork of the level we inspired centuries ago. We need to return to the spirit of the 1500s. - Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture

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