Posted on March 5, 2023 at 5:55 pm
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Michelangelo’s paintings and sculptures displayed a unique intensity, physical realism and psychological understanding. One of the most influential artists of the Renaissance, he is known for works such as Pieta (1499) and David (1501), which first came to attention when the Italian artist was in his 20s . His ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel cemented his fame and immortalized him.
Here are some places to visit some of his famous works:
Gallery of the Academy of Florence, Florence
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David, made of Carrara marble, is the perfect representation of youthful beauty, representing the city of Florence by symbolizing independence and power. Soon after its creation, Michelangelo’s David acquired new significance as a representation of the city and a symbol of the Renaissance. It is currently on display at the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. In addition, the Piazza Duomo, with its four architectural masterpieces – the Church, the Baptistery, the Campanile and the Sanctuary, close to the Gallery, is artistically distinctive for its spatial design.
Sistine Chapel, Rome
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The fresco (fresco artwork) on the wall behind the altar of the Sistine Chapel in Rome is titled “The Last Judgment”. It is considered one of the most powerful accounts of a pivotal moment in Christianity. More than 300 muscular figures strike endless dynamic poses that stretch to the edge of the walls. In stark contrast to the scenes on the walls and roof, The Last Judgment is not surrounded by painted borders. It shows both the second coming of Christ and God’s final and eternal judgment on all mankind.
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The Creation of Adam, arguably one of the most famous works of contemporary art, is also located in the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo depicted the fingertips of God and Adam almost touching to symbolize the divine breath of life. This well-known gesture shows the creation of the first man, with the Creator’s index finger poised to glow when it touched Adam’s hand.
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
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The Pieta, the only artwork signed by Michelangelo, is located in this church. This famous artwork depicts Jesus’ mother Mary cradling his body after his crucifixion. Michelangelo completed the Pieta in 1499 at the age of 24, the young artist’s first public commission in Rome, launching him on the road to fame and immortality. It is also significant because it strikes a balance between naturalism and classical Renaissance standards of beauty.
Monti, Rome
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One of Italy’s finest works of art, known as Moses, is hidden in the charming San Pietro church in Vincoli, in Rome’s picturesque Rione Monti neighbourhood. It depicts the biblical figure Moses with horns on his head, based on the description in the Vulgate Exodus chapter 34, the Latin version of the Bible in use at the time. It was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1505 for his tomb. In Michelangelo’s dynamic representation, Moses symbolizes God’s will and power in the present.
Florence Santo Spirito
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Michelangelo’s Cross (1492) is currently in Santo Spirito, Florence, Italy. Michelangelo created this topless figure when he was only 18 years old. The professionally crafted crucifix did not contribute much to Michelangelo’s career at the time, and people eventually forgot it existed. In 1962, after being thought lost for generations, the crucifix was rediscovered in a monastery. It was later returned to Florence, where it was originally kept.
Michelangelo was involved in dissection, in contrast to most Renaissance artists who learned the human form from historical sculpture and real people. Perhaps it was this step in his artistic sea change that made his paintings and sculptures so distinctive even today. He claimed to have simply freed statues from marble, but his descriptions of his work belied the meticulous preparation and attention to detail that made his art such a mesmerizing spectacle.
