Pope Julius II and the High Renaissance: Power, Patronage, and the Transformation of Rome

Pope Julius II, known as Il Papa Terribile,  was a pivotal figure in the High Renaissance, using art and architecture to project papal authority and transform Rome into a cultural and spiritual capital. A bold and ambitious patron, he commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling, an iconic masterpiece that redefined fresco painting. Julius also enlisted Raphael to decorate the Stanze di Raffaello in the Vatican, creating some of the era’s most celebrated works, including The School of Athens.

Beyond painting, Julius II revitalized the city’s architecture, initiating the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica, entrusting Donato Bramante to design a monumental new church symbolizing the power of the papacy. His patronage not only shaped Renaissance Rome but also solidified the connection between art, politics, and religion, leaving a lasting cultural legacy. Join art historian Elaine Ruffolo for a careful look at this culturally explosive period.