Michelangelo Study Notes

Michelangelo: Sculpture (Part 1)

Introduction

  • Michelangelo was born in Caprici, Italy, and grew up in Florence.
  • He spent his artistic career in Florence and Rome.
  • He received commissions from the church and wealthy families like the Medici family.
  • He apprenticed with Ghirlandaio and studied with a student of Donatello.
  • He studied sculpture by observing the Medici family's collection of ancient sculptures.
  • Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor but was also a painter.

Objective

  • Recognize sculptures created by Michelangelo.

Key Terms

  • Pieta
  • David

Pieta

  • Michelangelo's Pieta was created in 1500.
  • "Pieta" refers to the image of Mary cradling Jesus after his crucifixion.
  • Mary is depicted as an older woman, yet Christ appears smaller than her.
  • The sculpture has a pyramidal structure reminiscent of Renaissance painting.
  • The sculpture is subtractive, carved from a block of marble.
  • Michelangelo believed his job was to free the sculpture residing within the stone.
  • The sculpture has smooth surfaces and lifelike qualities, such as heavy fabric folds.
  • Mary's face is solemn but spiritual.
  • Christ's arm hangs limp, conveying weight.
  • Details, like Mary's fingers pushing against Christ's skin, make the sculpture come alive.

David

  • Michelangelo's David was created from 1501-1504.
  • It was originally intended for a cathedral buttress but was placed at eye level in the Palazzo Vecchio.
  • This placement symbolized Florence's rejuvenation as a Republican state.
  • Every muscle in David's body is delineated.
  • He is posed in an S-shaped contrapposto pose, revived from Roman antiquity.
  • The statue is eighteen feet tall.
  • David's large feet and hands were designed to compensate for visual distortion when viewed from a distance.
  • The large size may also suggest emergence from boyhood into manhood.

David - Story

  • David is a biblical figure who confronts the giant Goliath.
  • Michelangelo depicts David contemplating the confrontation with a serious, anxious expression.
  • David is outmatched in size, experience, and weaponry, using only a slingshot.
  • This contrasts with Donatello's David, which portrays a triumphant David standing over Goliath's head.
  • The sculpture is considered one of the world's best.
  • The story of David symbolizes right over might, connecting it to Florence as a Republican state.

Michelangelo: Paintings(Part 2)

Introduction

  • The lecture will explore the magnificent art of Michelangelo during the Renaissance.
  • The lecture will pick up from where Part 1 left off.

Objectives

  1. Appraise the importance and overall theme of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes.
  2. Recognize the creation of Adam as a Sistine Chapel fresco.

Key Terms

  • Sistine Chapel: A chapel in the Papal residency of The Vatican in Rome.
    • Michelangelo did not consider himself a painter.
    • Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to create works of art for the Papal residency, including painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
    • Michelangelo created a trompe l'oeil architectural framework to house the images on the ceiling.
    • Fresco: Paint applied to wet plaster.
    • Michelangelo used this technique to, in a sense, trick the eye.
    • Initially, the Pope wanted Michelangelo to paint a coffered ceiling, but Michelangelo sought a more complex task.
    • The Pope initially requested the 12 apostles to be painted, but Michelangelo wanted to do more.
    • Eventually, the Pope granted Michelangelo free rein to create the masterpiece.
    • Michelangelo received assistance from theology professors.
    • The ceiling tells a narrative story from the creation of the heavens to Noah's Ark.
    • The story starts above the altar and ends at the entrance of the chapel.
    • It took Michelangelo four years (1508-1512) to complete the ceiling, often working on his back, plastering and painting in small sections.

The Creation of Adam

  • God is depicted in a heavenly orb surrounded by angels, creating Adam.
  • The shapes of God and Adam fit together like puzzle pieces.
  • This emphasizes the Christian belief that man is made in the image of God.
  • God and Adam's fingers are not touching, creating anticipation and energy.
  • There is an electrical charge sensed where God is creating man.
  • Michelangelo paints big, bold figures, reminiscent of the High Renaissance period.

The Sacristy

  • The new sacristy was commissioned by the Medici family for Michelangelo to design.
  • Michelangelo employed classical architectural references, such as fluted columns and Corinthian columns.
  • He used Pietra Serena, a dark gray stone, for architectural details, contrasting it with the bright white background.
  • The sacristy was never fully completed by Michelangelo.

Conclusion

  • Michelangelo was an amazing sculptor who could carve life out of stone.
  • He was also an accomplished painter whose style evolved throughout his career.
  • Michelangelo lived for ninety years and died in 1564.
  • He left behind true examples of beauty.