When Michelangelo is mentioned, one of the first works that comes to mind is his awe-inspiring fresco painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, located in the Vatican City. This monumental masterpiece was commissioned by Pope Julius II and created between 1508 and 1512. The fresco encompasses nine stories from the Book of Genesis, including the iconic scene of the Creation of Adam, where God and Adam's fingers nearly touch. This work is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements of the High Renaissance period.
Interestingly, Michelangelo was initially hesitant to take on this project, as he considered himself primarily a sculptor rather than a painter. Nevertheless, he accepted the commission and embarked on a grueling four-year endeavor, displaying his extraordinary dedication and talent. His modesty was clearly misplaced, as the Sistine Chapel's ceiling continues to captivate millions of visitors every year.
The frescoes demonstrate Michelangelo's mastery of human anatomy, color, and composition, as well as his profound understanding of religious themes. His innovative technique involved painting directly onto wet plaster, known as "buon fresco," which allowed the pigments to be absorbed into the surface, ensuring the work's longevity.
The ceiling is an intricate symphony of over 300 figures, with each scene meticulously planned and executed. It is a testament to Michelangelo's skill and perseverance, as he faced numerous challenges during the project, such as painting on a curved surface while standing on a scaffold high above the chapel floor. The Sistine Chapel's ceiling remains an enduring symbol of artistic excellence and has influenced countless artists throughout history.
Today, the Sistine Chapel attracts around 5 million visitors annually, who flock to admire Michelangelo's breathtaking masterpiece. The work's impact on art and culture cannot be overstated, as it continues to inspire and mesmerize people from all walks of life.
Michelangelo's David, arguably the world's most famous sculpture, was meticulously crafted over three years, beginning when the artist was just 26 years old. This exceptional marble masterpiece stands apart from many earlier depictions of the biblical hero. Instead of showcasing David triumphant after his intense battle with Goliath, Michelangelo chose to portray him in a tense, alert position, moments before his legendary confrontation. Not many know this, but ancient Greeks made male genitalia small in their sculptures to symbolize a man of intellect and refinement, larger genitalia seen as animalistic and crude.
The sculpture displays Michelangelo's deep understanding of human anatomy and his ability to capture the complexity of human emotion. The carefully carved details, such as the furrowed brow and bulging veins, convey David's concentration and determination, while his poised stance and muscular physique suggest strength and agility. This striking depiction of David has become an enduring symbol of courage and resilience.
Originally positioned at Florence's Piazza Della Signoria in 1504, the 14-foot sculpture was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia in 1873 to protect it from environmental damage and vandalism. A replica of the statue now stands in its original outdoor location. The relocation has allowed the original David to be preserved and appreciated by countless visitors in a more controlled environment.
Today, Michelangelo's David remains an iconic example of Renaissance art and a testament to the artist's extraordinary talent. As one of the most recognizable and admired sculptures in the world, it continues to draw crowds and inspire generations of artists and art enthusiasts alike.
Michelangelo’s first large-scale sculpture Bacchus is, alongside Pieta, one of few sculptures that survived from his early days in Rome. It is also one of the few works that he did that focus on Pagan, rather than Christian, subjects.
The statue, which depicts the Roman god of wine in a drunken state, was originally commissioned by Cardinal Raffaele Riario, but he rejected it. However, in the early 16th century, it found a home in the garden of banker Jacopo Galli’s Roman palace.
Since 1871, Bacchus has resided at Florence’s Museo Nazionale del Bargello, and is displayed alongside other works by the master, including his Brutus bust and his unfinished sculpture, David-Apollo.
This was the only Michelangelo sculpture that made its way out of Italy during his lifetime; it was donated to its current home, Bruges’ Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady), in 1514 after the Mouscrons – a Belgian cloth merchant family – purchased the work sometime in the early 16th century.
On two occasions, the sculpture has been removed from the church, first during the French Revolutionary Wars, after which it was returned in 1815, only to be looted again by Nazi soldiers during World War II.
Texas’ Kimbell Art Museum has the honor of owning The Torment of Saint Anthony – the first known painting by Michelangelo – believed to have been painted when the artist was just 12 or 13 years old.
Created under the tutelage of his older friend Francesco Granacci, this painting has been cited by 16th-century artists and writers – Giorgio Vasari and Ascanio Condivi – Michelangelo’s earliest biographers – as an accomplished piece that creatively embellished upon Schongauer’s original engraving and achieved widespread recognition from peers.
This painting is the only known surviving panel paint by Michelangelo. It was painted for the wealthy Florentine banker Agnolo Doni, most likely to commemorate his marriage to his wife Maddalena, daughter of the prominent Tuscan noble family, the Strozzia.
Still in its original frame, a beautiful ornate wooden piece designed by Michelangelo as well, the work has resided at Galleria degli Uffizi since 1635 and is the only Michelangelo painting that can be found in Florence.
Located in Rome’s stunning Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, Moses was originally commissioned in 1505 by Pope Julius II as part of his funeral monument, but it was not completed until after his death.
Chiselled from marble, this sculpture is notable for its inclusion of a pair of horns on Moses’ head – thought to be the result of a literal interpretation of the Vulgate, a Latin translation of the bible – and was intended to be joined by other works including the Dying Slave and Rebellious Slave, housed in the Louvre in Paris, France.
This was the final fresco that Michelangelo would paint during his lifetime. It resides in the Vatican Palace’s Cappella Paolina and was originally commissioned by Pope Paul III in 1541.
In contrast to many other Renaissance-era depictions of the saint, Michelangelo’s work focuses on a much darker subject matter – his death.
A five-year-long, $3.5 million restoration project that began in 2004 revealed a very interesting aspect of the fresco: researchers now believe that a blue turban-clad figure in the upper left-hand corner of the painting is actually the artist himself, which, if correct, would make this painting the only known Michelangelo-painted self-portrait in existence.
See 10 more beautiful, famous paintings of the Renaissance period
Source: theculturetrip
