page_title: Santa Maria Maggiore
section_title: List of major works of art in the basilica
hierarchical_section_title: Santa Maria Maggiore / List of major works of art in the basilica
caption_attribution_description: English: The Assumption of Mary was painted inside the cupola by Ludovico Cardi nicknamed Il Cigoli . Above the clouds, the Blessed Virgin is transported towards the Heavens. The moon underneath her feet was painted exactly as it had been revealed through the telescope of Galileo, who was a friend of Cigoli. The Apostles, some seated while others are standing, gaze at the triumphant Mary as she holds a queen's scepter in her hand. Before the Virgin, who has crushed the serpent under her foot, the heavens open and the choirs of angels rejoice. From this multitude, a smaller group of cherubs draws closer to Mary, and clothed in the clouds they form a throne with their golden wings. Other cherubs blow horns, play trumpets and scatter flowers. Above them, we can see a myriad of angelic spirits, whose heads alone are fully visible.
context_page_description: The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, or church of Santa Maria Maggiore, is a Papal major basilica and the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome, Italy.
  The basilica enshrines the venerated image of Salus Populi Romani, depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary as the help and protectress of the Roman people, which was granted a Canonical coronation by Pope Gregory XVI on 15 August 1838 accompanied by his Papal bull Cælestis Regina.
  Pursuant to the Lateran Treaty of 1929 between the Holy See and Italy, the Basilica is within Italian territory and not the territory of the Vatican City State. However, the Holy See fully owns the Basilica, and Italy is legally obligated to recognize its full ownership thereof and to concede to it "the immunity granted by International Law to the headquarters of the diplomatic agents of foreign States."
context_section_description: Early Christian mosaic cycle depicting Old Testament events, 5th century
  The Salus Populi Romani, a much venerated early icon of the Virgin and Child.
  Funerary monument of Clement IX (1671) by Carlo Rainaldi with the papal bust by Domenico Guidi.
  Temporary catafalque for Philip IV of Spain designed in 1665 by Rainaldi
  Funerary monument of Pope Nicholas IV, designed by Domenico Fontana in 1574.
  Bust of Costanzo Patrizi by Algardi.
  Sacristy frescoes by Passignano and Giuseppe Puglia,
  Saint Cajetan holding the Holy Child, by Bernini.
  High altar sculpture by Pietro Bracci, (c. 1750).
  Statue of Pius IX in prayer by Ignazio Jacometti, (c. 1880).
  Pauline Chapel frescoes, by Guido Reni
  Frescoes for the monument of Clement VIII, Lanfranco
  Cesi Chapel tombs by Guglielmo della Porta
  Altar, confessio and Presepio (crib) sculptures by Arnolfo di Cambio, about 1290
caption: Pauline Chapel dome frescoes, by Guido Reni
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