Michelangelo

Synopsis

In this vividly written biography, William E. Wallace offers a new view of the artist. Not only a supremely gifted sculptor, painter, architect and poet, Michelangelo was also an aristocrat who firmly believed in the ancient, noble origins of his family. The belief in his patrician status fueled his lifelong ambition to improve his family's financial situation and to raise the social standing of artists. Michelangelo's ambitions are evident in his writing, dress and comportment, as well as in his ability to befriend, influence and occasionally say 'no' to popes, kings and princes. Written from the words of Michelangelo and his contemporaries, this biography not only tells his own stories, but also brings to life the culture and society of Renaissance Florence and Rome. Not since Irving Stone's novel The Agony and the Ecstasy has there been such a compelling and human portrayal of this remarkable yet credible human individual.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Early Years (1475-1496)

Michelangelo was born in Caprese, Italy, in 1475. His father, Lodovico, was a minor official and stone carver. Michelangelo's mother, Francesca, died when he was six years old. Michelangelo was apprenticed to a painter, Domenico Ghirlandaio, at the age of 13. In 1490, he moved to Florence, where he studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti.

Real Example: "Madonna of Bruges" (1495) Depicts the Virgin Mary and Child sitting on a throne. The sculpture is characterized by its soft, flowing lines and delicate details.

Chapter 2: The Roman Years (1496-1505)

In 1496, Michelangelo moved to Rome. He quickly gained the patronage of Cardinal Raffaele Riario, who commissioned him to create the "Pietà." In 1501, he was commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Real Example: "Pietà" (1498-1500)
Depicts the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Christ. The sculpture is renowned for its emotional intensity and anatomical realism.

Chapter 3: The Florence Years (1505-1534)

After the death of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo returned to Florence. He was commissioned to create a statue of David for the Piazza della Signoria. He also worked on the Medici Tombs in the Church of San Lorenzo.

Real Example: "David" (1501-1504)
Depicts the biblical hero David standing naked, holding a slingshot. The statue is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture and epitomizes the human form in its ideal proportions.

Chapter 4: The Late Years (1534-1564)

In 1534, Michelangelo was appointed the chief architect of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. He worked on the design of the dome until his death in 1564. He also designed the Pietà Rondanini, an unfinished sculpture that he worked on until the end of his life.

Real Example: "Pietà Rondanini" (1555-1564) Depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Christ. The sculpture is a testament to Michelangelo's lifelong fascination with the human body and the search for spiritual meaning through art.

Chapter 5: Michelangelo's Legacy

Michelangelo is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. His work had a profound influence on Western art and continues to inspire contemporary artists to this day.

Michelangelo's legacy is not only his artistic masterpieces but also his unique approach to art. He believed that art should be a means of expressing one's innermost thoughts and emotions. He also believed that the human body was the most perfect form of art and that it should be studied and celebrated.