Editing Pope Paul III (section)

===Patron of the arts===
Arguably the most significant artistic work produced during Paul's reign was the ''[[Last Judgement (Michelangelo)|Last Judgement]]'' by [[Michelangelo]] in the [[Sistine Chapel]] of the [[Vatican Palace]]. Although the work was commissioned by Paul III's predecessor, [[Pope Clement VII]], following the latter's death in 1534 Paul renewed the commission and oversaw its completion in 1541.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/|title=Home|website=www.vaticanstate.va|access-date=11 November 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Rafael - Alessandro Farnese.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Portrait of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese]]'' (Late Pope Paul III) by [[Raphael]], 1512.]]
As a cardinal, Alessandro had begun construction of the [[Palazzo Farnese]] in central Rome, and its planned size and magnificence increased upon his election to the papacy. The palace was initially designed by the architect [[Antonio da Sangallo the Younger]], received further architectural refinement from [[Michelangelo]], and was completed by [[Giacomo della Porta]]. Like other Farnese family buildings, the imposing palace proclaims the family's power and wealth, similarly to Alessandro's [[Villa Farnese]] at Caprarola. In 1546, after the death of Sangallo, Paul appointed the elderly Michelangelo to take supervision of the building of [[St. Peter's Basilica]]. Paul also commissioned Michelangelo to paint the 'Crucifixion of St. Peter' and the 'Conversion of St. Paul' (1542–50), his last frescoes, in the [[Cappella Paolina|Pauline Chapel]] of the Vatican.

Paul III's artistic and architectural commissions were numerous and varied. The [[Venice|Venetian]] artist [[Titian]] painted a portrait of the pope in 1543, and in 1546, the well-known portrait of Paul III with his grandsons Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and [[Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma]]. Both are now in the [[Capodimonte Museum]] in Naples. The military fortifications in Rome and the Papal States were strengthened during his reign.<ref>Verellen Till R., ibid.</ref> He had Michelangelo move the ancient bronze of the Emperor [[Marcus Aurelius]] to the [[Capitoline Hill]], where it became the centerpiece to the [[Piazza del Campidoglio]].