Vatican Unveils “The Barberini Tapestry Workshop – The Resurrection and the Dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica” Exhibition

Vatican Museums honor 400 years of St. Peter’s Basilica with “The Barberini Tapestry Workshop” exhibition celebrating Rome’s Baroque artistry.

Newsroom (01/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) On Monday afternoon, March 30, the Vatican Museums inaugurated a new cultural milestone: “The Barberini Tapestry Workshop – The Resurrection and the Dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica.” The exhibition, held in the Conference Hall of the Vatican Museums, forms part of the ongoing Museums at Work series, which continues to reveal the depth and elegance of Vatican collections through focused, insightful presentations.

Among the notable voices at the opening were Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State; Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica; Archbishop Giovanni Cesare Pagazzi, Librarian and Archivist of the Holy Roman Church; Rev. Don Mauro Mantovani, Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library; Barbara Jatta, Director of the Vatican Museums and Cultural Heritage; and Alessandra Rodolfo, Chief Curator of 17th–18th Century Art and the Tapestries and Textiles Department. Also in attendance were Archbishop Emilio Nappa and Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, both Secretaries General, underscoring the institutional importance of the occasion.

A Celebration of Faith and Artistic Legacy

The exhibition, set within Rooms XVII and XVIII of the Vatican Pinacoteca, marks the 400th anniversary of the Dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrated on November 18, 1626. This event not only honors a foundational moment in ecclesiastical history but also illuminates the splendor and innovation of the Barberini Tapestry Workshop in 17th-century Rome.

Under the curatorial direction of Alessandra Rodolfo, in collaboration with the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Fabrica of St. Peter, the exhibition brings to light masterpieces that capture the vibrant Baroque character of Urban VIII’s papacy (1623–1644). The Barberini Manufacture, established in the mid-seventeenth century, stands as proof of Rome’s ability to rival the great tapestry centers of Europe, integrating art, devotion, and political prestige into woven grandeur.

Compact Brilliance in Presentation

In her address, Sister Petrini reflected on the vision guiding these initiatives. Since 2017, Room XVII of the Pinacoteca has hosted 25 exhibitions, each designed to highlight lesser-seen treasures of the Vatican’s collections. “The spirit of these initiatives,” she noted, “is always the same: to enhance the knowledge of specific works, to associate them in meaningful ways, and to ensure they do not escape the visitor’s attention amid the overwhelming beauty around them.”

This exhibition’s compact design mirrors that purpose. Carefully curated lighting and educational materials immerse visitors, inviting a deeper meditation on the artistry and symbolism woven into each panel. Petrini emphasized that this format is meant to concentrate visitors’ attention, enriching both scholarship and aesthetic delight.

Two Masterpieces, Two Moments of Glory

Displayed across two adjoining rooms, the exhibition features two monumental tapestries. In the first, The Resurrection—part of the cycle known as the Life of Christ—sets a radiant tone, harmonizing with the approach of Easter. The second room features a tapestry from the Life of Pope Urban VIII series, depicting the solemn 1626 dedication ceremony of St. Peter’s Basilica—a stunning convergence of faith, artistry, and historical memory.

Together, these works evoke both the triumph of the Resurrection and the human endeavor to honor divinity through art. They also remind visitors that the Vatican’s legacy is as much a celebration of creation as it is of the Creator.

Collaboration and Continuity

Sister Petrini extended warm gratitude to all those who contributed to realizing the exhibition, especially Dr. Rodolfo and her curatorial team. Their collaboration with the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Fabrica of St. Peter exemplifies the cultural and theological teamwork that defines the Vatican’s artistic initiatives.

As the address concluded, Petrini offered a blessing for those present and their families, expressing heartfelt wishes for a meaningful Holy Week and a blessed Easter—an apt reflection of both the spiritual and artistic themes uniting this exhibition.

Through the luminous tapestries of the Barberini Workshop, the Vatican once again bridges past and present, uniting artistic mastery with faith’s enduring narrative.

• Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican State

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