Cleveland to Host One of the Largest Collections of Vatican Art and Historical Objects...

Cleveland to Host One of the Largest Collections of Vatican Art and Historical
Objects Ever Viewed in North America
Exhibition features reliquary holding fragments of bones of Saint Peter,
personal items of Michelangelo, Bernini's sculpture, papal election objects
and earliest known representation of Jesus

CLEVELAND, April 10, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the largest collections
of art, documents and historically significant objects from the Vatican ever
to tour North America is coming to the Western Reserve Historical Society in
Cleveland beginning May 31, 2008, for a limited, exclusive regional
engagement. Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums
and the Swiss Guard will present unique objects illustrating the Vatican's
impact on history and culture through 2,000 years. The timing of the
exhibition commemorates the 500th anniversary of Saint Peter's Basilica, the
founding of the Vatican Museums, Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel
ceiling and the establishment of the Papal Swiss Guard.
"Vatican Splendors is visiting only three U.S. cities, so we feel very
fortunate to have it come here to Cleveland," said Dr. Gainor Davis, president
of the Western Reserve Historical Society. "Since such a large percentage of
Northeastern Ohio's population has Catholic roots, the Society felt that this
exhibition meshed perfectly with its ongoing mission to educate our residents
about the origins of their history, culture and traditions. People will be
able to see some of the world's greatest treasures without having to travel to
the Vatican."
Approximately 200 rare objects will be presented in contextual
environments, such as the recreated tomb of Saint Peter. Items in the
collection -- which includes tiaras; mosaics; paintings; works by well-known
sculptors; papal rings and jewels; intricately embroidered silk vestments;
precious objects from the Papal Mass; armor, swords and vestments of the Papal
Swiss Guard; and gifts to the popes from notables such as Napoleon and the
Dalai Lama -- are on loan from the Vatican Museums, the Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples, the Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the
Supreme Pontiff, the Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, the Apostolic
Floreria, private collections and the Papal Swiss Guard.
The exhibition also features actual objects relating to the election of
Pope Benedict XVI, such as election ballots, patens and urns used in voting, a
ceremonial vestment and an actual white smoke cartridge announcing the
election.
"Indeed, this exhibition is in itself significant, as it represents one of
the largest collections of art and objects from the Vatican ever to tour North
America," stated Monsignor Roberto Zagnoli, curator of the Vatican Museums.
"Many of these works have never before been outside Vatican City."
After the three-city tour of St. Petersburg, Fla., Cleveland and St. Paul,
Minn., the items featured in Vatican Splendors will return to Rome where they
cannot be absent for more than a year.
"It is a great privilege for Cleveland to host this wonderful collection,"
said the Most Rev. Richard G. Lennon, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of
Cleveland. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all -- not just
Catholics -- to see these awe-inspiring treasures and significant pieces of
art and beauty here in Northeast Ohio."
Highlights of the exhibition include a reliquary containing fragments of
bones of Saint Peter and a gold Votive Plaque found in the area of the tomb,
all displayed within a dramatic reproduction of the Tomb of Saint Peter; the
Mandylion of Edessa, a third to fifth century image on linen considered one of
the oldest known representations of Jesus present in Rome; a mosaic Bust of an
Angel by the 14th century master, Giotto; personal items and tools of
Michelangelo; an exquisite terra-cotta sculpture by Bernini; the Papal Tiara
of Pope Pius VII, the symbol of the papacy, made of gold, precious stones,
pearls, velvet and silk, and topped with an exquisite emerald; a Buddhist
Thanka of embroidered cloth and pearls, given by the Dalai Lama to John Paul
II; the Pastoral Staff of Pope John Paul II; and a special presentation of
uniforms, armor and weapons from the legendary Papal Swiss Guard.
"This exhibition is about art, history, culture and the Church's legacy
over the last 2,000 years," said Mark Greenberg, president of Evergreen
Exhibitions, producers of the exhibition. "The Vatican has had a profound
impact on culture through the centuries by commissioning, collecting and
preserving historical objects and art. Vatican Splendors is a moving tribute
to an exquisite assemblage of art and objects associated with the papacy and
the historic institution of the Vatican."
Greenberg added that the exhibition is not solely about religion, but
rather a collection of fine and decorative arts that explores the Vatican's
influence on world history.
Tickets for Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter's Basilica, the Vatican
Museums and the Swiss Guard go on sale April 14 and will be available by
calling 1-888-5VATICAN (1-888-582-8422) or online at
http://www.Ticketmaster.com. Tickets also may be purchased at the Western
Reserve Historical Society box office located at 10825 East Blvd. in
Cleveland. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $14 for children
(age 6-12). Hours for Vatican Splendors will be Monday through Wednesday from
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more
information regarding group sales and special packages, contact Tickets for
Groups at 1-800-840-1157 or visit http://www.ticketsforgroups.com.
Vatican Splendors is made possible by the generosity of its sponsor, the
Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums of Ohio, Inc. More information
about Vatican Splendors is available at http://www.vaticansplendors.com. For
information about the Western Reserve Historical Society, visit
http://www.wrhs.org.
Vatican Splendors is organized and circulated in conjunction with the
Governatorato of the Vatican City State. The exhibition is produced by
Evergreen Exhibitions in association with the Western Reserve Historical
Society. Objects in the exhibition are on loan from the Office of the
Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, the Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples, the Vatican Museums, the Reverenda Fabbrica of
Saint Peter, and the Apostolic Floreria. Additional objects are on loan by the
Papal Swiss Guard and private collections.
The Western Reserve Historical Society was founded in 1867, making it the
oldest cultural institution in Northeast Ohio. With headquarters in University
Circle, the renowned arts and culture district of Cleveland, the Society
operates eight separate but related collections at four historic properties
throughout the region. Its mission is to collect, preserve and present the
history of all the people of Northeast Ohio.
Evergreen Exhibitions is a world leader in providing high quality, state-
of-the-art exhibitions in collaboration with more than 200 leading museums and
research institutions in the United States and internationally.
SOURCE Vatican Splendors

Emily Vincent of Landau Public Relations, +1-216-912-2848,
evincent@landaupr.com, for Vatican Splendors