2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25
In 1475, a boy was born in the family of a poor but noble Florentine nobleman, Lodovico Buonarroti, who was to become the greatest sculptor in the history of mankind. The father “at the behest of higher powers” named his son Michelangelo. The paintings and sculptures created by his hand are truly divine, just like his name.
The beginning of creativity
Most of his childhood the boy spent in the village with a wet nurse, where he learned to work with clay and a chisel, which helped to reveal his exceptional abilities. Seeing this, Lodovico Buonarotti sent his son to the studio of the artist Domenico Ghirlandaio for training, and a year later - to the famous sculptor Bertoldo di Giovanni. It is here that the works of the young talent are noticed and appreciated by Lorenzo de Medici. He invites him to his palace. For three years, Michelangelo lives and works for Lorenzo the Magnificent, where he meets many painters and sculptors, as well as art connoisseurs.
In Rome
Soon his work begins to interest the highest spiritual ranks, and he is invited to Rome, where he performsorders of Cardinal Rafael Riario, and then Pope Julius II, on whose behalf Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel for four years. It was supposed to be more than 300 works on biblical themes, and Michelangelo did an excellent job with them. These paintings have become the most accurate reproductions of biblical stories: “Creation of Heaven and Earth”, “Separation of light from darkness”, “Creation of Adam”, “Creation of Eve”, “Fall”, “Flood”, etc. Despite the fact that that, by the nature of his talent, Michelangelo Buonarroti was primarily a sculptor, nevertheless, his most grandiose plans were realized precisely in painting. This is evidenced by the walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Some paintings by Michelangelo with titles
“The Last Judgment”
This painting was commissioned by Pope Paul III over a period of seven years (1534-1541). It became the most powerful fresco in the history of world painting. Michelangelo painted it on the huge white altar wall. He was 60 years old, he was sick, infirm, and it was very difficult for him to write it. Nevertheless, this was exactly what later glorified the name of Michelangelo for centuries. Pictures of this scale were usually painted by several masters at once, but the elderly artist coped with this work alone. Those who saw her once will never forget.
“Torment of Saint Anthony”
Until 2008, this painting was considered the work of an unknown Italian artist, and only this year it was recognized as the work of MichelangeloBuonarroti. By the way, this is the earliest of his surviving creations.
The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo
This fresco was painted by the great painter in 1511. It is one of the nine central compositions depicted on the vault of the Sistine Chapel, and is considered one of the best works of Michelangelo. The paintings that decorate the ceiling, every single one, are simply magnificent. However, they are at a sufficient height, and in order to carefully examine them, you need to tilt your head back, which is not very convenient. Therefore, at the entrance to the chapel, and in many bookstores in Italy, you can buy an album of Michelangelo's works, including reproductions of the works of the great artist.
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