(NAPSA)—Art, faith, history and genius come together in “Creating St. Peter’s—Architectural Treasures of The Vatican” a new exhibit at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, Connecticut. The exhibi- tion will not be seen in the U.S. again. The centerpiece of the exhibition, Michelangelo’s hand-crafted 1560 study model for the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, unites the show’s powerful themes. The 16-foot model provides a rare glimpse at the process and people behind one of the masterpieces of Renaissance architecture. The model is among more than 100 artifacts—mostrarely,if ever, seen by the public—thattell arich and captivatingstory. “A miracle of engineering and artistry, the domeof St. Peter’s has dominated the skyline of The Eternal City for more than four and a half centuries,” noted the museum’s president Carl A. Anderson, the Supreme Knight. “It has been a beacon of devotion and symbol of human achievementto peopleofall faiths. Creating St. Peter’s celebrates the individuals and the inspiration that gave the world this treasure— and bringsthe story of St. Peter’s up to the present day. “Each of these remarkable works of art and architecture must be seen to be appreciated,” Anderson added. “They document the 175 years of design and construction of St. Peter’s, the largest and most magnificent church in Christendom.” Manyof the architectural treasures in the show have recently undergone restoration in Rome. The specially arranged collection is the first time all of the pieces will be shown. It is also the last overseas trip for the 450-year-old wooden modelof the domeof St. Peter’s. Less than three years old, the state of the art museum is known for the high quality of its unique A RICH AND CAPTIVATING STORY—A new exhibit gives the public a glimpse of rarely seen masterpieces of Renaissance architecture. and diverse shows. The museum has recently completed structural modifications to accommodate manyof the larger architectural pieces. “Creating St. Peter’s” will remain in New Haven through August 31, 2004, enabling teachers to plan class field trips to see the great and historic art treasures throughout the school year. “Because we expect to attract record crowds, we are revising our entire exhibit schedule to accommodate this large and important show,” noted Larry Sowinski, the museum’s director. “The exhibition contains many unique works such as study models, sculptures, paintings, drawings, and tools that were used to build St. Peter’s.” Easily accessible, the Knights of Columbus Museumislocated at the head of State Street just opposite the Coliseum in downtown New Haven. Admission and parking in the museum garageare free as a public service. For additional details and schedules, call (203) 865-0400.
