Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Cathedra Petri (Chair of St. Peter)


Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Cathedra Petri (or Chair of St. Peter), gilded bronze, gold, wood, stained glass, 1647-53 (apse of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome)

According to tradition, St. Peter himself, the founder of the institution of the Church and considered the first pope, sat on the ancient wooden chair that is encased within this larger bronze and gold chair.


Additional resources

Chair of Peter from the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia

 

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Cite this page as: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, "Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Cathedra Petri (Chair of St. Peter)," in Smarthistory, August 24, 2022, accessed June 10, 2023, https://smarthistory.org/bernini-cathedra-petri-chair-of-st-peter/.