iguzzini’s sipario floodlights make michelangelo’s pietà shine again in saint peter’s basilica

with iguzzini's sipario floodlights designed by rossibianchi lighting design, every detail of michelangelo’s pietà is highlighted, offering visitors a unique experience.

eirini ilia December 23, 2024 4 min

IGUZZINI ILLUMINATES MICHELANGELO’S PIETÀ FOR THE 2025 JUBILEE

As part of the preparations for the 2025 Jubilee, Michelangelo’s famous Pietà sculpture in Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, has got an updated lighting system, developed and completely sponsored by iGuzzini. The project, led by renowned lighting designers Guido Bianchi and Nicoletta Rossi, brings out the finest details of this marble wonder, thanks to iGuzzini’s Sipario floodlight, a luminaire specifically designed to enhance artworks and cultural spaces.

iguzzini's sipario floodlights make michelangelo’s pietà shine again in saint peter’s basilica - 1 — thanks to iGuzzini lighting, Michelangelo’s Pietà shines again in Saint Peter’s Basilica | images © Matteo De Mayda, all images courtesy of iGuzzini

SIPARIO FLOODLIGHT DESIGNED FOR CULTURAL VENUES AND ARTWORKS

Developed with a commitment to sustainable lighting that benefits both the environment and the preservation of art, iGuzzini’s Sipario floodlight brings advanced technology to cultural spaces. Its patented Opti Beam Reflector optics deliver clean, precise beams of light, highlighting every delicate detail of Michelangelo’s Pietà without glare or shadows. Light, compact, and energy-efficient, Sipario also features smart technology and eco-friendly materials, reflecting the company’s dedication to responsible lighting.

To fully capture the emotional and visual impact of Michelangelo’s Pietà, iGuzzini’s Sipario floodlight offers four distinct lighting scenarios, each tailored to highlight different aspects of the sculpture and its surrounding environment. These scenarios – North, East, South, and West – are controlled via a KNX system, allowing for dynamic adjustments based on the Basilica’s needs.

iguzzini's sipario floodlights make michelangelo’s pietà shine again in saint peter’s basilica - 2 — a new lighting design, conceived by designers Guido Bianchi and Nicoletta Rossi has been installed and entirely sponsored by IGuzzini Illuminazione

TAILORED LIGHTING SCENARIOS FOR MICHELANGELO’S ICONIC SCULPTUREs

The North scenario creates a balanced chiaroscuro effect, using Sipario floodlights mounted on pilasters to emphasize the sculpture’s plasticity and detail. The lighting enhances the harmony between individual elements, such as the folds of Mary’s robe and the expressive features of Christ, while also illuminating Giovanni Lanfranco’s frescoes on the central vault with subtle transitions of light.

In contrast, the East scenario delivers a dramatic ‘light blade’ effect, casting a sharp beam across the Pietà from a floodlight mounted at an angle. This effect focuses on the serene, recumbent face of the Virgin Mary, while subtle reflections on the marble give the sculpture a striking emotional presence.

iguzzini's sipario floodlights make michelangelo’s pietà shine again in saint peter’s basilica - 3 — the sculpture is lit with iGuzzini’s Sipario floodlight, a luminaire specifically designed to meet the lighting requirements of artworks, museum spaces, cultural venues and theatres

For larger events and ceremonies, the South scenario provides a brighter, more expansive lighting environment. Designed for clear visibility from the Basilica’s central nave, this scenario floods the sculpture with light, accentuating its contours while maintaining the delicate balance of the surrounding architectural elements.

The West scenario, used for daily viewing, offers a more understated illumination. Track-mounted floodlights with narrow beams crisscross at symmetrical angles, softly highlighting the sculpture’s features and balancing the contrasts between light and shadow. This setting ensures that visitors, whether up close or viewing from afar, can appreciate the Pietà in its full splendor.

iguzzini's sipario floodlights make michelangelo’s pietà shine again in saint peter’s basilica - 4 — the lighting design is fitted with patented Opti Beam Reflector optics, designed and produced in-house by iGuzzini

iguzzini-sipario-floodlight-designboom-09 — Sipario floodlight is characterized by its lightness, compact size, low consumption, integrated smart technology and easy-to-replace components

iguzzini's sipario floodlights make michelangelo’s pietà shine again in saint peter’s basilica - 5 — uniting photometric performance with exclusive quality emissions, these optics create a sharp, clean beam of light with no double-ring effect

Sipario allows main wireless technologies to be used even with Casambi and ORT sensors, as well as offering smart services, like push notifications In the case of Saint Peter's Basilica, DALI protocol-based wired technology has been used to manage the system. Designed to be sustainable, easy to disassemble and lightweight, Sipario is made from mass balanced, recycled and recyclable materials

project info:

name: Sipario floodlight

company: iGuzzini | @iguzzini

location: Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

photography: Matteo De Mayda | @demayda