MichelangeloMichelangelo

Michelangelo Buonarroti Michelangelo Buonarroti

►Perhaps the greatest influence on Perhaps the greatest influence on western art in the last five centuries, western art in the last five centuries, Michelangelo was an Italian sculptor, Michelangelo was an Italian sculptor, architect, painter and poet in the period architect, painter and poet in the period known as the High Renaissance. Along known as the High Renaissance. Along with contemporaries with contemporaries Leonardo Leonardo dada Vinci Vinci and and RaphaelRaphael, he is considered one of , he is considered one of the greatest masters in the history of the greatest masters in the history of European art. European art.

BiographyBiography

►Michelangelo was one of the most Michelangelo was one of the most inspired creators in the history of art inspired creators in the history of art and, with Leonardo da Vinci, the most and, with Leonardo da Vinci, the most potent force in the Italian High potent force in the Italian High Renaissance. As a sculptor, architect, Renaissance. As a sculptor, architect, painter, and poet, he exerted a painter, and poet, he exerted a tremendous influence on his tremendous influence on his contemporaries and on subsequent contemporaries and on subsequent Western art in general. Western art in general.

► A Florentine—although born March 6, 1475, in A Florentine—although born March 6, 1475, in the small village of Caprese near Arezzo—the small village of Caprese near Arezzo—Michelangelo continued to have a deep Michelangelo continued to have a deep attachment to his city, its art, and its culture attachment to his city, its art, and its culture throughout his long life. He spent the greater throughout his long life. He spent the greater part of his adulthood in Rome, employed by part of his adulthood in Rome, employed by the popes; characteristically, however, he left the popes; characteristically, however, he left instructions that he be buried in Florence, and instructions that he be buried in Florence, and his body was placed there in a fine monument his body was placed there in a fine monument in the church of Santa Croce. in the church of Santa Croce.

DavidDavid

► His great works were His great works were almost entirely in almost entirely in the service of the the service of the Catholic Church, and Catholic Church, and include a huge include a huge statue of the Biblical statue of the Biblical hero David (over 14 hero David (over 14 feet tall) in Florence, feet tall) in Florence, sculpted between sculpted between 1501 and 1504 1501 and 1504

►DavidDavid Gigantic marble, started in 1501 and Gigantic marble, started in 1501 and completed in 1504 completed in 1504 Michelangelo began work on the colossal Michelangelo began work on the colossal figure of David in 1501, and by 1504 the figure of David in 1501, and by 1504 the sculpture (standing at 4.34m/14 ft 3 in tall) sculpture (standing at 4.34m/14 ft 3 in tall) was in place outside the Palazzo Vecchio. was in place outside the Palazzo Vecchio. The choice of David was supposed to reflect The choice of David was supposed to reflect the power and determination of Republican the power and determination of Republican Florence and was under constant attack Florence and was under constant attack from supporters of the usurped Medicis. In from supporters of the usurped Medicis. In the 19th century the statue was moved to the 19th century the statue was moved to the Accademia. the Accademia.

► The high point of Michelangelo's early style is The high point of Michelangelo's early style is the gigantic (4.34 m/14.24 ft) marble David the gigantic (4.34 m/14.24 ft) marble David (Accademia, Florence), which he produced (Accademia, Florence), which he produced between 1501 and 1504, after returning to between 1501 and 1504, after returning to Florence. The Old Testament hero is depicted Florence. The Old Testament hero is depicted by Michelangelo as a lithe nude youth, by Michelangelo as a lithe nude youth, muscular and alert, looking off into the muscular and alert, looking off into the distance as if sizing up the enemy Goliath, distance as if sizing up the enemy Goliath, whom he has not yet encountered. The fiery whom he has not yet encountered. The fiery intensity of David's facial expression is termed intensity of David's facial expression is termed terribilità, a feature characteristic of many of terribilità, a feature characteristic of many of Michelangelo's figures and of his own Michelangelo's figures and of his own personality. David, Michelangelo's most personality. David, Michelangelo's most famous sculpture, became the symbol of famous sculpture, became the symbol of Florence and originally was placed in the Florence and originally was placed in the Piazza della Signoria in front of the Palazzo Piazza della Signoria in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, the Florentine town hall. Vecchio, the Florentine town hall.

SculptureSculpture

MosesMoses

► Michelangelo made some of his Michelangelo made some of his finest sculpture for the Julius Tomb, finest sculpture for the Julius Tomb, including the Moses (circa 1515), including the Moses (circa 1515), the central figure in the much the central figure in the much reduced monument now located in reduced monument now located in Rome's church of San Pietro in Rome's church of San Pietro in Vincoli. The muscular patriarch sits Vincoli. The muscular patriarch sits alertly in a shallow niche, holding alertly in a shallow niche, holding the tablets of the Ten the tablets of the Ten Commandments, his long beard Commandments, his long beard entwined in his powerful hands. He entwined in his powerful hands. He looks off into the distance as if looks off into the distance as if communicating with God. communicating with God.

PietaPieta► The marble Pietà (1498-The marble Pietà (1498-

1500), still in its original place 1500), still in its original place in Saint Peter's Basilica. One in Saint Peter's Basilica. One of the most famous works of of the most famous works of art, the Pietà was probably art, the Pietà was probably finished before Michelangelo finished before Michelangelo was 25 years old, and it is the was 25 years old, and it is the only work he ever signed. The only work he ever signed. The youthful Mary is shown seated youthful Mary is shown seated majestically, holding the dead majestically, holding the dead Christ across her lap, a theme Christ across her lap, a theme borrowed from northern borrowed from northern European art. Instead of European art. Instead of revealing extreme grief, Mary revealing extreme grief, Mary is restrained, and her is restrained, and her expression is one of expression is one of resignation. resignation.

The Dying SlaveThe Dying Slave

► The Bound Slave and the Dying The Bound Slave and the Dying Slave (both c. 1510-13), Musée du Slave (both c. 1510-13), Musée du Louvre, Paris, demonstrate Louvre, Paris, demonstrate Michelangelo's approach to Michelangelo's approach to carving. He conceived of the figure carving. He conceived of the figure as being imprisoned in the block. as being imprisoned in the block. By removing the excess stone, the By removing the excess stone, the form was released. Here, as is form was released. Here, as is frequently the case with his frequently the case with his sculpture, Michelangelo left the sculpture, Michelangelo left the statues unfinished (non-finito), statues unfinished (non-finito), either because he was satisfied either because he was satisfied with them as is, or because he no with them as is, or because he no longer planned to use them. longer planned to use them.

The Madonna of the StairsThe Madonna of the Stairs

BacchusBacchus

► The over-life-size The over-life-size Bacchus (1496-98, Bacchus (1496-98, Bargello, Florence). Bargello, Florence). One of the few works of One of the few works of pagan rather than pagan rather than Christian subject Christian subject matter made by the matter made by the master, it rivaled master, it rivaled ancient statuary, the ancient statuary, the highest mark of highest mark of admiration in admiration in Renaissance Rome. Renaissance Rome.

Sistine ChapelSistine Chapel

► The ceiling of the The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Sistine Chapel in Rome Rome (commissioned by (commissioned by Pope Julius IIPope Julius II), was ), was painted between painted between 1508 and 1512. 1508 and 1512.

► Michelangelo was recalled to Rome by Pope Julius II Michelangelo was recalled to Rome by Pope Julius II in 1505 for two commissions. The most important in 1505 for two commissions. The most important one was for the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel one was for the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Working high above the chapel floor, lying ceiling. Working high above the chapel floor, lying on his back on scaffolding, Michelangelo painted, on his back on scaffolding, Michelangelo painted, between 1508 and 1512, some of the finest between 1508 and 1512, some of the finest pictorial images of all time. On the vault of the pictorial images of all time. On the vault of the papal chapel, he devised an intricate system of papal chapel, he devised an intricate system of decoration that included nine scenes from the Book decoration that included nine scenes from the Book of Genesis, beginning with God Separating Light of Genesis, beginning with God Separating Light from Darkness and including the Creation of Adam, from Darkness and including the Creation of Adam, the Creation of Eve, the Temptation and Fall of the Creation of Eve, the Temptation and Fall of Adam and Eve, and the Flood. These centrally Adam and Eve, and the Flood. These centrally located narratives are surrounded by alternating located narratives are surrounded by alternating images of prophets and sibyls on marble thrones, images of prophets and sibyls on marble thrones, by other Old Testament subjects, and by the by other Old Testament subjects, and by the ancestors of Christ. ancestors of Christ.

► In order to prepare for this enormous In order to prepare for this enormous work, Michelangelo drew numerous work, Michelangelo drew numerous figure studies and cartoons, devising figure studies and cartoons, devising scores of figure types and poses. scores of figure types and poses. These awesome, mighty images, These awesome, mighty images, demonstrating Michelangelo's demonstrating Michelangelo's masterly understanding of human masterly understanding of human anatomy and movement, changed the anatomy and movement, changed the course of painting in the West. course of painting in the West.

The Creation Of ManThe Creation Of Man

The Creation of the HeavensThe Creation of the Heavens

The Erythraean SibylThe Erythraean Sibyl

The Fall From GraceThe Fall From Grace

The FloodThe Flood

The Prophet ZachariahThe Prophet Zachariah

The Last JudgementThe Last Judgement► In Rome, in 1536, Michelangelo In Rome, in 1536, Michelangelo

was at work on the Last was at work on the Last Judgment for the alter wall of Judgment for the alter wall of the Sistine Chapel, which he the Sistine Chapel, which he finished in 1541. The largest finished in 1541. The largest fresco of the Renaissance, it fresco of the Renaissance, it depicts Judgment Day. Christ, depicts Judgment Day. Christ, with a clap of thunder, puts into with a clap of thunder, puts into motion the inevitable motion the inevitable separation, with the saved separation, with the saved ascending on the left side of the ascending on the left side of the painting and the damned painting and the damned descending on the right into a descending on the right into a Dantesque hell. As was his Dantesque hell. As was his custom, Michelangelo portrayed custom, Michelangelo portrayed all the figures nude, but prudish all the figures nude, but prudish draperies were added by draperies were added by another artist (who was dubbed another artist (who was dubbed the “breeches-maker”) a the “breeches-maker”) a decade later, as the cultural decade later, as the cultural climate became more climate became more conservative. Michelangelo conservative. Michelangelo painted his own image in the painted his own image in the flayed skin of St. Bartholomew. flayed skin of St. Bartholomew.

The Last JudgementThe Last Judgement

Doni TondoDoni Tondo

► The Holy Family The Holy Family with the infant St. with the infant St. John the Baptist (the John the Baptist (the Doni Tondo)Doni Tondo) c. 1503-05 c. 1503-05

► Sybille de CummesSybille de Cummes ceiling of the Sistine Chapel ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City in Vatican City Sibyls were female seers of Sibyls were female seers of ancient Greece and Rome. ancient Greece and Rome. They were also known as They were also known as oracles. Like the Jewish oracles. Like the Jewish prophets of the Old prophets of the Old Testament, many sibyls had Testament, many sibyls had their sayings recorded in their sayings recorded in books. Jewish prophets spoke books. Jewish prophets spoke unbidden, whereas sibyls unbidden, whereas sibyls tended to speak only if tended to speak only if consulted on specific consulted on specific questions. They sometimes questions. They sometimes answered in riddles or answered in riddles or rhetorical questions. rhetorical questions.

Sistine Chapel Virtual TourSistine Chapel Virtual Tour

►http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Panhttp://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Pano/CSN/Visit_CSN_Main.htmlo/CSN/Visit_CSN_Main.html

► Dome of St. Peter's Basilica Dome of St. Peter's Basilica Michelangelo's crowning Michelangelo's crowning achievement as an architect achievement as an architect was his work at St. Peter's was his work at St. Peter's Basilica, where he was Basilica, where he was made chief architect in made chief architect in 1546. The building was 1546. The building was being constructed according being constructed according to Donato Bramante's plan, to Donato Bramante's plan, but Michelangelo ultimately but Michelangelo ultimately became responsible for the became responsible for the altar end of the building on altar end of the building on the exterior and for the final the exterior and for the final form of its dome. form of its dome.

Michelangelo's AchievementsMichelangelo's Achievements

►

During his long lifetime, Michelangelo was an During his long lifetime, Michelangelo was an intimate of princes and popes, from Lorenzo intimate of princes and popes, from Lorenzo de' Medici to Leo X, Clement VIII, and Pius III, de' Medici to Leo X, Clement VIII, and Pius III, as well as cardinals, painters, and poets. as well as cardinals, painters, and poets. Neither easy to get along with nor easy to Neither easy to get along with nor easy to understand, he expressed his view of himself understand, he expressed his view of himself and the world even more directly in his and the world even more directly in his poetry than in the other arts. Much of his poetry than in the other arts. Much of his verse deals with art and the hardships he verse deals with art and the hardships he underwent, or with Neoplatonic philosophy underwent, or with Neoplatonic philosophy and personal relationships. and personal relationships.

► The great Renaissance poet Ludovico Ariosto The great Renaissance poet Ludovico Ariosto wrote succinctly of this famous artist: wrote succinctly of this famous artist: “Michael more than mortal, divine angel.” “Michael more than mortal, divine angel.” Indeed, Michelangelo was widely awarded the Indeed, Michelangelo was widely awarded the epithet“divine” because of his extraordinary epithet“divine” because of his extraordinary accomplishments. Two generations of Italian accomplishments. Two generations of Italian painters and sculptors were impressed by his painters and sculptors were impressed by his treatment of the human figure: Raphael, treatment of the human figure: Raphael, Annabale Carracci, Pontormo, Rosso Annabale Carracci, Pontormo, Rosso Fiorentino, Sebastiano del Piombo, and Titian. Fiorentino, Sebastiano del Piombo, and Titian. His dome for St. Peter's became the symbol His dome for St. Peter's became the symbol of authority, as well as the model, for domes of authority, as well as the model, for domes all over the Western world; the majority of all over the Western world; the majority of state capitol buildings in the U.S., as well as state capitol buildings in the U.S., as well as the Capitol in Washington, D.C., are derived the Capitol in Washington, D.C., are derived from it. from it.