Michelangelo- Sistine Chapel Ceiling

1400 A.D. – 1600 A.D.

the renaissance

early renaissance

“from darkness to light”

high renaissance

progress in arts/science; Leonardo DaVinci, Michelangelo, Raphael

late renaissance

development of High Renaissance artistic sophistication

What was the renaissance?

rebirth of Greco-Roman arts, philosophy, literature, architecture, science.

mass communication technology

Gutenberg printing press

Martin Luther

led Protestant Reformation nailing “95 theses” at church door

columbus arrived in Bahamas

age of exploration/colonization

Johnannes Ruysch

published new zWorld Map

Copernicus

discovered Heliocentrism

Galileo

published scientific method

Andreas Vesalius

1st book on human anatomy

genre

painting

title

Sistine Chapel Ceiling Painting, 1st painting btw

Author

Michelangelo

Form

Fresco

Time

1508-1512

Place

Rome

Florence

larger and wealthier than Siena. The city-states were rivals. Florence and Siena in conflict via war + art.

How did Michelangelo Paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling?

Fresco= “fresh” plaster. color pigments mixed with water applied on wet plaster. have to apply quickly before it dries & needs repainting.

How did Michelangelo Paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling? (7 Prophets)

Golden Ratio: symmetry, shape, size- Fibonacci sequence

7 Prophets

-figures have realistic volume, body mass, anatomical details.

-figures are dynamic- display movement and emotions- strong yet stressed, determined yet unsure.

How did Michelangelo Paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling? (5 Sybils)

incorporated “Vanishing Point” based on 3D Linear perspective.

5 Sybils

-pre-christian, ancient greek classical religious figures.

-depth perspective help to create depth and resolution that makes figures appear stable and firmly set.

How did Michelangelo Paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling? (Ignudi)

-Greco-Roman aesthetics- idealized human body/nude

ignudi

-greeks idealized bodies + hyper anatomical details, making them “sculpture in paint”.

-garland of oak leaves, medallions, architectural elements evoke Roman traditions.

Why did Michelangelo Paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling? (1)

(1) showcase renaissance consciousness- God as creator from old testament’s book of genesis. not focusing on christ/God as savior.

Why did Michelangelo Paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling? (2)

(2) Humanism- honoring God by knowledge of human body; mastering nature; dissecting cadavers.

-anthropocentrism- humans as God’s ultimate “artwork”

-new consciousness and alternative to Medieval beliefs challenging complete authority of church.

4 central panel images of…

God creating Sun, Moon, Planets, Land, Water, Vegetation and Adam.

Why did Michelangelo Paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling? (3)

(3) Scientific temper, “new” way of worship – anatomical details astronomy, physics, chemistry, etc.

Why did Michelangelo Paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling? (4)

(4) God in “human form” – “old man with white beard”