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Chronology of Works at St. Peter's Basilica

The detailed information in this chronology is largely from the book,
'St. Peter's' by Aurelio Amendola,
text by Bruno Contardi, ©1998

1447-1455 Pope Nicholas V, the first humanist pope of the Renaissance
1448 Irreparable state of the old St Peter's basilica recognized
1450 Leon Battista Alberti began work on the sanctuary of the old basilica
ca. 1474 Erection of a new ciborium over the papal altar of St Peter
1503 Bramante hired to build a new St Peter's basilica
Apr. 18, 1506 Pope Julius II lays the first stone of the new basilica under the St. Veronica pier.
1508-1512 Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel
1510-1511 Raphael paints The School of Athens, offering an idea of what Bramante's chuch might look like.
1513-21 Pope Leo X
1513 Leo X recalls Giuliano da Sangallo from Florence to become Bramante's partner
1513-1516 Leonardo da Vinci lives in Rome at the service of Leo X
1514 Raphael and Fra Giovanni Giocondo are appointed architects forming a triumvirate
1514 Death of Donato Bramante
Aug. 1, 1514 Pope Leo's brief to Raphael in which he wrote, 'At his [Bramante's] death he justly opined that to you might be confided the building commenced by him…'
Nov 22, 1516 Antonio da Sangallo is appointed coadjutor
1519 The demolition of the Constantinian portico was completed
1520 Death of Raphael
1522-1523 Pope Adrian VI
1523-1534 Pope Clement VII
1527 The Sack of Rome, at the orders of Charles V
1534-1549 Pope Paul III
1538 Sangallo raises a dividing wall across the nave of the old basilica
1544-1546 Sangallo works on the inner ring of piers on the transepts
1546 Death of Sangallo
1546 Giulio Romano is invited to become architect, but dies before his employers release him.
1546 Michelangelo, aged 71, is named architect of St. Peter's.
1547 Michelangelo produces his first wooden model of St. Peter's, and writes to Florence for measurements of Brunelleschi's dome.
1550-1555 Pope Julius III
1554 Michelangelo, writing to Vasari, says that it is his duty to see the work on St. Peter's through, come what may; and that, were he to throw it up,he would be committing a very grievous sin.
1555 Michelangelo, in a letter to Bartolomeo Ammannati, writes that Bramante had been as gifted an architect as any since the times of the ancients. His plan for St Peter's was concise, straightforward, luminous and beautiful.
1555 Pope Marcellus II, died less than one month after his election
1555-1559 Pope Paul IV
1558-1561 Michelangelo makes a wooden half section of the dome and drum, which survives.
1559-1565 Pope Pius V
Feb 18, 1564 Death of Michelangelo
1566-1572 Pope St. Pius V
1572-1585 Pope Gregory XIII
1578-1580 After cartoons by G. Muziano, C. Nebbia and P. Manenti, the mosaic decoration of the vault, lunettes and pendentives of the Gregorian Chapel is executed. The only mosaicist named in the documentation in the account books of the Fabbrica is G. Caprilli. In the very ruinous state because of their age, the pendentive decoration was redone between 1768 and 1722 by the mosaicists L. Fattori, G. B. Fiani, B. Tomberli after cartoons by N. Lapiccola. The decoration of the vault dates from 1722 to 1775, after cartoons by S. Monosilio, by G. B. Fiani and L. Roccheggiani. The decoration of the lunettes between 1776 and 1779, again after cartoons by Lapiccola.
1585-1590 Pope Sixtus V
1590 Completion of the dome of St Peter's
1590 Pope Urban VII, died one week after his election
1590-1591 Pope Gregory XIV
1591 Pope Innocent IX
1592-1605 Pope Clement VIII
1598-1600 P. Rossetti and L. Martinelli carry out the decoration of the pendentives in the cupola of the crossing, after cartoons by G. De Vecchi (Sts. John and Luke), C. Nebbia (Sts. Matthew and Mark) and by C. Roncalli (Angels and decorative elements).
1600 C. Mariani is paid for the two stucco figures of the Justice and the Fortitude in the arch on the left of the central nave.
1601-1604 For the decoration of the vault, lunettes and pendentives of the Clementine Chapel, the cartoons by C. Roncalli are converted into mosaics by L. Martinelli, P. Rossetti, M. Provenzale, F. Zucchi, R. Semprevivo, R. Parasoli, D. Parigi.
1603-1612 In the soffit of the dome of the crossing, the cartoons by Cavalier d'Arpino with Scenes of Christ in Triumph with the Virgin, St John the Baptist and Apostles are translated into mosaic by R. Semprevivo, P. Rossetti, C. Rossetti, F. Zucchi, L. Martinelli, D. Parigi, C. Torelli, M. Provenzali; the stucco decoration is executed by R.Solaro.
1605 Pope Leo XI, died less than one month after his election
1605-1621 Pope Paul V
1612 The thirteen statues of the facade representing Christ, the Baptist and eleven of the Apostels (all of them except St Peter) are sculpted by E. Moretti, G. Fontana, B. Cennini, S. Drouin, G. A. Valsoldo, C. Fancelli and Braccianese
1614 A. Buonvicino sculpts the high relief of Christ Delivering the Keys to St. Peter on the facade, just below the loggia for the blessing.
1621 (Ante) The stucco decoration in the vault of the atrium is finished: the Acts of the Apostles is designed by M. Ferrabosco and executed by A. Buonvicino and G. B. Ricci
1621-1623 Pope Gregory XV. He canonized Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier
1621 The Tomb of Innocent VIII (1493-1498), by A. and P. Pallaiolo, is moved to its present location (second pilaster in the left aisle)
1623-1644 Pope Urban VIII
1624-1633 Baldachino by. Bernini
1626 Consecration of the new basilica of St Peter
1627-1629 The altarpiece of St. Michael Archangel is done in mosaic by G. B. Calandra after a cartoon by Cavalier d'Arpino. Between 1757 and 1758 the altarpiece, the first in mosaic in the new basilica, is substituted by the one by B. Regoli and G. F. Fiani, who translate the St. Michael by G. Reni in Santa Maria della Concezione into mosaic, once restored, the mosaic by Calandra is transferred to the cathedral of Macerata in 1771.
1627-1647 Tomb of Urban VIII by Bernini
1628 The Tomb of Paul III (1549-1575) by G. della Porta is transferred to its present location. The wrought iron door of the chapel of the Choir is executed after a model by Borromini.
1628-1631 P. da Cortona paints the Trinity for the Chapel of the Sacrament.
1629-1631 G. Lanfranco frescoes the cupola of the Chapel of the Pieta with scenes of the Exaltation of the Cross and Episodes from the Passion
1629-1635 After cartoons by G. Lanfranco (Sts. Bonaventure and Cyril) and Andrea Sacchi (Sts. Thomas of Aquinas and John of Damascus), G. G. Calandra executes the mosaics in the pendentives of the Chapel of the Madonna della Colonna
1629-1638 Bernini sculpts the Longinus for one of the niches in the crossing
1629-1639 A. Golgi sculpts the St. Helen and F. Duquesnoy the St. Andrew for two of the niches of the crossing.
1629-1640 F. Mochi sculpts the Veronica for one of the niches of the crossing
1633-1640 Bernini, together with numerous assistants, finishes the decoration of the logias, destined to serve as reliquaries, in the piers of the crossing.
1633-1644 Bernini, with the collaboration of different sculptors, carries out the Monument of Matilde di Canossa.
1633-1646 Bernini sculpts the Pasce oves meas above the door by Filarete
1634-1652 A. Algardi executes the Tomb of Leo XI
1636-1648 G. B. Calandra and G. U. Abbatini translate into mosaic cartoons by G. F. Romanelli (St. Gregory Thaumaturge), C. Pellegrini (St. Bernard), A. Sacchi (Pope Leo and St. Denis) into mosaic for the pendentives of the Chapel of St. Petronilla and St.Michael.
1640 C. Pellegrini paints the Martyrdom of St. Maurice, on the altar to St. Maurice, in the Chapel of the Sacrament.
1643-1647 G. B. Calandra first, and then G. U. Abbatini translate cartoons (1643-1644) by G. F. Romanelli into mosaic for the lunettes of the Chapel of the Madonna della Colonna.
1645-1649 A large group of sculptors and stoneworkers execute the decoration of the piers of the nave after drawings by Bernini.
1646-1652 A. Algardi sculpts the bas-relief representing Leo the Great Stopping Attila for the altar of the Chapel of the Madonna della Colonna and of St Leo the Great.
1653-1662 G. U. Abbatini and, after 1656, M. Piccioni, C. Manenti and F. Cristofari transpose cartoons (1652-1667) by P. da Cortona and R. Vanni (lunettes, 1659-1663) into mosaic for the vault, pendentives and lunettes of the Chapel of the Sacrament. The stucco decoration of the vault is by G. Perugino after a drawing by P. da Cortona.
1654 Queen Christina of Sweden moved to Rome
1654-1663 G. U. Abbatini, M. Piccioni, F. Cristofori and O. Manenti decorate the vault, pendentives and lunettes of the Chapel of St. Sebastian in mosaic after drawings (1652-1662) by P. da Cortona with the assistance of C. Ferri (vault, pendentives and two lunettes) and R. Vanni (two lunettes, 1659-1663).
1654-1670 Equestrian Statue of Constantine, by Bernini, to the right of the portico.
1655-1678 Tomb of Alexander VII by Bernini, with many assistants. Charity is by G. Mazzuoli, Truth by Morelli and Cartari, Justice by L. Balestri.
1656-1667 Bernini designs St. Peter's Square and the basilica Apse.
1658-1659 After drawings by Bernini, B. Ferrata does the models for the bronze Crucifixes on the altars.
1669-1681 F. Cristofari does the mosai decoration of the vault (1666-1677), pendentives (1677-1679) and lunettes (1680-1681) in the first bay of the right aisle (Chapel of the Pieta) after drawings by P. da Cortona and C. Ferri
1672-1678 Altar in the Chapel of the Sacrament, by Bernini
1675 F. Cristofari, after a drawings by C. Ferri, does the St. Peter on the inside of the facade, above the Porta Santa.
1675-1676 Floor of the Chapel of the Sacrament, after a drawing by Bernini
1681-1703 G. Conti does the mosaic decoration in the pendentives of the Chapel of the Choir, after cartoons (1681-1689 and 1699-1702, respectively) byC. Ferri and C. Maratta.
1682-1689 F. Cristofari translates paintings (1633-1650) by A. Sacchi into mosaic for the altars of the Grottoes (Veronica, St. Andrew Adoring the Cross He Was Martyred on; Martyrdom of St. Longinus; St. Helen and the Miracle of the True Cross).
1683-1689 F. Cristofari translates cartoons by Maratta into mosaic for the pendentives and the lunettes of the Chapel of the Presentation
1685 Tomb of Clement X, sculpted by E. Ferrata, G. Mazzuoli, L. Morelli, L. Retti, F. Carcani, F. Aprile, after a design by De Rossi.
1692-1699 The Chapel of the Baptismal Font is carried after a project by C. Fontana; the pool (re-using the upper part of an ancient porphyry sepulchre) is decorated with models by L. Ottoni, J. B.Theodon, M. Maille,and cast by G. Giardini.
1700 Tomb of Innocent XI, by P. E. Monnot after a drawing by C. Maratta.
1702 Monument of Christine of Sweden, after a drawing by C. Fontana, executed by Theodon and Ottoni
1704-1725 G. Conti, L. del Pozzo, D. Gossoni, M. Moretti, G. Ottaviani, M. de Rossi, P. Clori translate the cartoons by C. Maratta and G. Chiari into mosaic for the vault of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
1706-1715 Tomb of Alexander VIII after a drawing by C. A. di San Martino, sculpted by A. de' Rossi.
1707 The statues of St. Elias (sculpted by A. Cornacchini) and St. Dominic (by P. Le Gros) inaugurate the series of Founding Saints located in the niches along the median aisle and the arms of the transept.
1709-1711 F. Cocchi translates into mosaic the Martyrdom of Sts. Processo and Martiniano, executed for the central altar of the right transept by V. de Boulogne between 1629 and 1630. Later (1727-1737), the work was completed, or restored, by L. Fattori, G. B. Brughi and P. P. Cristofari.
1711 F. Cristofari does the altarpiece of St. Nicholas of Bari in mosaic for the Chapel of the Crucifixion.
1711-1723 G. Ottaviani and P. Clori translate cartoons by M. Franceschini and N. Ricciolini into mosaic for the decoration of the vault and lunettes of the Chapel of the Choir.
1712-1714 L. Ottoni does the stucco figures of angels for the niches of the drum of the cupola of the Chapel of the Crucifixion, for those of the Chapel of St. Sebastian and the Chapel of the Choir, and for the four corners in the Chapel of the Sacrament.
1716 L. Ottoni does the stucco statues in the large arches providing access to the right transept.
1719 L. Ottoni does the statues in stucco of the popes on the sides of the lunettes of the vault of the atrium.
1719-1723

G. Ottaviani translates cartoons painted by B. Lamberti and, after Lamberti's death, by L. Gramiccia and M. Benefial into mosaic for the lunettes of the Chapel of St. Petronilla and St. Michael.

1720-1725 A. Cornacchini sculpts the equestrian statue of Charlemagne, to the left of the portico.
1721-1726 P. P. Cristofari translates the copy (1719-1720) by N. Ricciolini of the Navicella painted by Lanfranco in 1631.
1721-1729 P. Clori, L. Fattori, D. Gossoni, A. Cocchi, G. F. Fiani, E. Enuo do the mosaic decoration in the Chapel of St. Petronilla and St. Michael after cartoons (1721-1726) by N. Ricciolini.
1723 Tomb of Gregory XIII, by C. Rusconi and B. Cametti
1724-1726 L. Fattori, G. Ottaviani, G. B. Brughi translate the cartoons (1713-1723) by F. Trevisani into mosaics for the pendentives of the Chapel of Baptism.
1725 C. Monaldi sculpts the statue of St. Francis of Assisi, from the series of Founder Saints.
L. Ottoni does the stucco cherubs and angels in the cupola of the Chapel of St. Petronilla and St. Michele.
The two large water fonts by G. Lironi, F. Moderati, G. B. DeRossi, A. Cornacchini are placed in their present position.
1725-1727 P. Adami does the Death of Saphyr (Altar of the Falsehood) translating the altarpiece (1599-1604, now in St. Maria degli Angeli) by C. Roncalli into mosaic.
1726-1728 P. P. Cristofari translates into mosaic the cartoon by L. Vanvitelli, a copy of the Presentation of the Virgin (1639-1642) by G. F. Romanelli, for the Chapel of the Presentation
1726-1738 G. B. Brughi and P. P. Cristofari translate St. Peter Baptizes Sts. Processo and Martiniano into mosaic for the Chapel of the Baptism after a cartoon (1709-1711) by G. Passeri.
1728 G. Rusconi sculpts, after a model by C. Rusconi, St. Ignatius Loyola, from the series of Founder Saints.
1728-1730 P. P. Cristofari translates into mosaic the cartoon by S. Conca (1725-1726), a copy of the Burial of St. Petronilla executed by Guercino 1623, now in the Pinacoteca Capitolina.
1730 C. Monaldi sculpts the statue of St. Gaetano Thieni, from the series of Founder Saints
1730-1733 P. P. Cristofari translates into mosaic the cartoon painted by L. Vanvitelli, a copy of the Last Communion of St. Jerome (1614, now in the Pinacoteca Vaticana) by Domenichino for the altar of St. Jerome in the Gregorian Chapel
1730-1734 G. B.Rughi and P. P. Cristofari translate a cartoon (paid for between 1696-1698) by Maratta of the Baptism of Christ into mosaic for the Chapel of the Baptism
1730-1736 P. P. Cristofari translates into mosaic the cartoon painted by L. Vanvitelli, a copy of the St. Sebastian (1625-1635) by Domenichino, from 1736 to St. Maria degli Angeli, for the Chapel of St. Sebastian.
1732 G. B. Maini sculpts St. Francis de Paul for the series of Founder Saints
1735 A. Montauti sculpts St. Benedict for the series of Founder Saints
1736 G. B. Maini sculpts St. Phillip for the series of Founder Saints
1737-1739 P. P. Cristofari translates the altarpiece with the Martyrdom of St. Erasmus by Poussin, executed in 1629, into mosaic.
P. P. Cristofari and D. Gossoni translate cartoons by Trevisani into mosaic for the lunettes of the Chapel of the Baptism.
1739-1740 P. P. Cristofari translates the altarpiece of St. Wenceslas of Bohemia, executed between 1627 and 1632 by A. Caroselli, into mosaic
1739-1742 Tomb of Maria Clementina Sobieski after a drawing by F. Barigioni, sculpted by P. Bracci; the portrait in mosaic after a drawing by I. Stern is executed by P. P. Cristofari.
1739-1746 P. P. Cristofari, P. L. Ghezzi, E. Ennuo, D. Gossoni, G. F. Fiani, L. Fattori, P. Cardoni, P. Clori, N. Onofri, A. Cocchi translate cartoons (1738-1745) by F. Trevisani into mosaic for the cupola of the Chapel of the Baptism.
1742 P. Campi sculpts St. Peter Nolasco for the series of Founder Saints.
1743 M. Slodzt sculpts St. Bruno for the series of Founder Saints
1743-1747 P. Subleyras paints the model with the Mass of St. Basil (now in St. Maria degli Angeli) for the transposition into mosaic of the altarpiece to be located on the altar of St. Basil (executed between 1748 and 1751, the work of G. Paleat, G. Ottaviani, E. Ennuo, N. Onofri).
1744-1746 N. Onofri, E. Ennuo, G. Ottaviani and G. Paleat translate the painting of P. Bianchi representing the Immaculate Conception (1734-1741) into mosaic for the altar of the Chapel of the Choir.
1745 F. Della Valle sculpts the St. Theresa with the Infant Jesus, and P. Campi the St. Juliana Falconieri for the series of Founder Saints.
1746 After a drawing by F. Fuga, Filippo della Valle executes the Tomb of Innocent XII.
1749 The Pieta sculpted by Michelangelo in 1499 is moved from the Chapel of the Choir to its present location.
1749-1750 G. B. Maini sculpts, under the direction of L. Vanvitelli, the medallions with Scenes from the Life of Sts. Peter and Paul in the vaults of the transeptsof thr tribune
1751-1753 L. Fattori, D. Gossoni, G. F. Fani, B. Regoli, G. Paleat, G. Ottaviani, P. Polverelli and A. Volpini translate cartoons (1742-1748) by G. Zoboli for the dome of the Chapel of the Madonna della Colonna.
1751-1758 A. Cocchi, E. Ennuo, G. Paleat and G. Ottaviani translate the cartoon by F. Mancini of the Healing of the Paralytic (1744-1748) into mosaic for the altar of the Paralytic.
1753 F. Vergara sculpts the St. Peter of Alcantara, and P. Pacilli the St. Camillus de Lellis for the series of Founder Saints.
1756-1757 After a drawing by C. Marchionni, the jasper base of the bronze statue of St. Peter is executed.
1758-1760 G. Ottaviani, G. Paleat, B. Regoli, G. B. Fiani execute the mosaic of the Resurrection of Tabitha after a cartoon (1736-1740) by P. Costanzi in place of the painting (1604-1606) by G. Baglione previously on the same altar.
1758-1768 G. F. Fiani, G. Paleat, A. Cocchi, B. Regoli, P. Polverelli, V. Castellini execute, after a cartoon by S. Pozzi (1756-1759), a copy of the Transfiguration by Raphael for the altar of the Transfiguration.
1763-1769 Tomb of Benedict XIV sculpted by P. Bracci and G. Sibilia (author of the statue of Self-Denial)
1770-1772 A. and F. Cocchi and V. Castellini translate a canvas (1625-1627) by A. Sacchi representing St. Gregory and the Miracle of the Corporal into a mosaic for the altar of St. Gregory in the Clementine Chapel
1776-1784 The sacristy is constructed, after a drawing by C. Marchionni.
1784-1792 A. Conova sculpts the Tomb of Clement XIII
1786 G. Valadier places the "big bell" cast by his father in the bell tower.
1795-1801 D. Cerasoli, B. Tomberli, F. Cocchi translate into mosaic the cartoon by D. De Angelis representing the Ecstasy of St. Francis, based on the painting by Domenichino in Santa Maria della Concezione.
1811-1822 B. Tomberli, V. A. and R. Castellini, R. Cocchi, D. Pennacchini, V. Cocchi, M. Volpini translate into mosaic the cartoon (1806) by V. Camuccini of The Doubting of St. Thomas.
1817-1819 A. Canova executes the Stuart Monument.
 

 

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