Michelangelo and The Last Judgment

Michelangelo Buonarroti Born on March 6, 1475 in Tuscany, Italy Born on March 6, 1475 in Tuscany, Italy Mother died when he was 6 years old Mother died when he was 6 years old Childhood was grim—he lacked affection Childhood was grim—he lacked affection Michelangelo was shy, did not trust others, and kept to himself. Michelangelo was shy, did not trust others, and kept to himself. Michelangelo’s father wanted him to become a successful merchant or businessman. Michelangelo’s father wanted him to become a successful merchant or businessman.

Early Life At 13, Michelangelo told his father he was going to be an apprentice for the painter Ghirlandaio. At 13, Michelangelo told his father he was going to be an apprentice for the painter Ghirlandaio. After learning fresco painting for a year, he went to study sculpture at the Medici gardens. After learning fresco painting for a year, he went to study sculpture at the Medici gardens. The Medici family was very distinguished, so say the least. (Two of the Medici went on to become popes—Leo X and Clement XII.) The Medici family was very distinguished, so say the least. (Two of the Medici went on to become popes—Leo X and Clement XII.) The Medici Gardens The Adoration of the Magi by Ghirlandaio

Early Life Michelangelo began to study anatomy by studying corpses (which was forbidden by The Church). Michelangelo began to study anatomy by studying corpses (which was forbidden by The Church). By the time he was 16, Michelangelo had produced at least two relief sculptures: The Battle of the Centaurs and Madonna of the Stairs. By the time he was 16, Michelangelo had produced at least two relief sculptures: The Battle of the Centaurs and Madonna of the Stairs.

Early Career The Bacchus The Bacchus Michelangelo’s first larger than life-scale sculpture Michelangelo’s first larger than life-scale sculpture

Pieta Pieta Pieta St. Peter’s Basilica St. Peter’s Basilica Completed before Michelangelo was 25 years old Completed before Michelangelo was 25 years old He signed the sculpture on Mary’s sash. He signed the sculpture on Mary’s sash.

The David The David The David Accademia, Florence Accademia, Florence Represents Florence in dealing with threats— David as heroic courage Represents Florence in dealing with threats— David as heroic courage Story of David vs. Goliath from The Bible Story of David vs. Goliath from The Bible Athletic, manly physique, concentrated, ready to fight Athletic, manly physique, concentrated, ready to fight Formal beauty with expressiveness and meaning Formal beauty with expressiveness and meaning

As a Painter… Michelangelo hated oil painting and portraiture. He felt that painting was inferior to sculpture. Michelangelo hated oil painting and portraiture. He felt that painting was inferior to sculpture. Michelangelo did not get along with Leonardo da Vinci or Raphael, and they often competed for the same attention. Michelangelo did not get along with Leonardo da Vinci or Raphael, and they often competed for the same attention. In 1508, Michelangelo was summoned back to Rome by Pope Julius II. In 1508, Michelangelo was summoned back to Rome by Pope Julius II. Pope Julius II wanted Michelangelo to paint 12 figures of apostles and some decorations on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Link Pope Julius II wanted Michelangelo to paint 12 figures of apostles and some decorations on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Link Link Julius (with the support of the other artists) trapped Michelangelo into painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and he had to oblige him. Julius (with the support of the other artists) trapped Michelangelo into painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and he had to oblige him.

The Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo refused to use the techniques offered by other artists and locked himself and a few workmen in the Chapel. Michelangelo refused to use the techniques offered by other artists and locked himself and a few workmen in the Chapel. It was completed from It was completed from It depicts scenes from the Book of Genesis in the center of the ceiling. It depicts scenes from the Book of Genesis in the center of the ceiling. In the cornices are twenty Ignudi, living statues (spiritual brothers or sisters of the artist). In the cornices are twenty Ignudi, living statues (spiritual brothers or sisters of the artist). The Ignudi combine both masculine and feminine traits. The Ignudi combine both masculine and feminine traits.

The Sistine Chapel There are twelve Prophets and Sybils, and twelve Precursors of the Ancestors of Christ. There are twelve Prophets and Sybils, and twelve Precursors of the Ancestors of Christ. The four corners contain scenes of the “people of God” (David cutting Goliath’s throat, etc). The four corners contain scenes of the “people of God” (David cutting Goliath’s throat, etc). The figures on the ceiling appear to be waiting for Christ and the Last Coming. (Preview to The Last Judgment) The figures on the ceiling appear to be waiting for Christ and the Last Coming. (Preview to The Last Judgment) The ceiling was done in October of Pope Julius II died four months later. The ceiling was done in October of Pope Julius II died four months later.

Other Works Michelangelo’s other works were interrupted for the painting of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo’s other works were interrupted for the painting of the Sistine Chapel. He was working on a monumental tomb for Pope Julius II. The plans included over 40 sculptures, but was never fully finished. He was working on a monumental tomb for Pope Julius II. The plans included over 40 sculptures, but was never fully finished. He also made sculptures for the Laurentian Library and the Medici Tombs. He also made sculptures for the Laurentian Library and the Medici Tombs.

The Last Judgment Commissioned by Pope Clement VII, who died before Michelangelo started painting. Commissioned by Pope Clement VII, who died before Michelangelo started painting. Paul III Farnese confirmed the commission. Paul III Farnese confirmed the commission. Michelangelo began painting in Michelangelo began painting in This was 24 years after he finished the ceiling. Michelangelo was in his sixties. This was 24 years after he finished the ceiling. Michelangelo was in his sixties. The Last Judgment was painted on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, covering older frescoes done by Perugino. The Last Judgment was painted on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, covering older frescoes done by Perugino. It was completed in It was completed in 1541.

The Last Judgment The Last Judgment was the largest fresco of the Renaissance. The Last Judgment was the largest fresco of the Renaissance. It depicts Judgment Day. It depicts Judgment Day. It represents humanity face- to-face with salvation. It represents humanity face- to-face with salvation. Christ begins the separation, with the saved ascending on the left side of the painting and the damned descending on the right into hell. Christ begins the separation, with the saved ascending on the left side of the painting and the damned descending on the right into hell. The figures were originally nude, but draperies were added later by another artist. The figures were originally nude, but draperies were added later by another artist.

The Last Judgment The nudity did not bother Paul III or Julius III. The nudity did not bother Paul III or Julius III. In 1564, the Council of Trent decided to “amend” the fresco by adding some clothing to the figures. In 1564, the Council of Trent decided to “amend” the fresco by adding some clothing to the figures.

The Christ Figure Christ is depicted as youthful and without a beard. Christ is depicted as youthful and without a beard. He also is not “seated on his throne in glory.” He also is not “seated on his throne in glory.” Critics said that Christ “lacked the requisite majesty.” Critics said that Christ “lacked the requisite majesty.” He is very muscular and sculptural, like the other figures painted on the wall as well as the ceiling of the chapel. He is very muscular and sculptural, like the other figures painted on the wall as well as the ceiling of the chapel. He is surrounded by the blessed saints and martyrs. He is surrounded by the blessed saints and martyrs.

Michelangelo’s Self Portrait In many of his pieces, Michelangelo gave his figures his own facial attributes. In many of his pieces, Michelangelo gave his figures his own facial attributes. In The Last Judgment, Michelangelo painted himself upon the flayed skin of St. Bartholomew. In The Last Judgment, Michelangelo painted himself upon the flayed skin of St. Bartholomew. This was a sign that Michelangelo was terrified of “flesh” and “sin” and also sought spiritual renewal and salvation. This was a sign that Michelangelo was terrified of “flesh” and “sin” and also sought spiritual renewal and salvation.

Other Notable Figures The Virgin Mary Eve St. John the Baptist St. Laurence holding his gridiron St. Peter offering two keys to Christ St. Bartholomew holding his skin (and Michelangelo’s self-portrait)

Top of the Fresco On the left side (top picture), the angels are lifting up the cross. On the left side (top picture), the angels are lifting up the cross. On the right side (bottom picture), angels lift up “the column of the flagellation”, which tilts toward the center of the wall and balances the cross on the other side. On the right side (bottom picture), angels lift up “the column of the flagellation”, which tilts toward the center of the wall and balances the cross on the other side.

Revenge Before the wall was finished, Biagio da Cesena (Vatican’s Master of Ceremonies) said: Before the wall was finished, Biagio da Cesena (Vatican’s Master of Ceremonies) said: “It was mostly disgraceful that in so sacred a place there should have been depicted all those nude figures, exposing themselves so shamefully, and that it was no work for a papal chapel but rather for the public baths and taverns.” “It was mostly disgraceful that in so sacred a place there should have been depicted all those nude figures, exposing themselves so shamefully, and that it was no work for a papal chapel but rather for the public baths and taverns.” Michelangelo depicted Biagio in hell as Minos with a serpent wrapped around and in between his legs. Michelangelo depicted Biagio in hell as Minos with a serpent wrapped around and in between his legs.

The Last of Michelangelo The Last Judgment has a huge effect on art. It was the turning point in the history of art. Artists from all over the world visit the Sistine Chapel and copy the fresco. The Last Judgment has a huge effect on art. It was the turning point in the history of art. Artists from all over the world visit the Sistine Chapel and copy the fresco. Japanese experts took on the restoration to reveal the bright colors of the frescoes. Japanese experts took on the restoration to reveal the bright colors of the frescoes. Michelangelo continued to produce work, well into his eighties. Michelangelo continued to produce work, well into his eighties. He saw it as his job to serve the Popes and do what they requested. He saw it as his job to serve the Popes and do what they requested. Michelangelo died after a “slow fever” on February 18, Michelangelo died after a “slow fever” on February 18, He was 89 years old. He was 89 years old.

References -index2.html -index2.html -index2.html -index2.html Neret, Gilles. Michelangelo. Taschen: Germany, Neret, Gilles. Michelangelo. Taschen: Germany, 2004.