Michelangelo, the renowned Renaissance artist behind masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel's ceiling, discusses the incredible journey of his art. He delves into the rivalry with Raphael and the theological weight of his works, especially The Last Judgment, capturing complex themes of mortality and chaos. The conversation touches on the challenges of artistic freedom under the Church's gaze and the enduring influence of his masterpieces. Listeners also learn about the meticulous restoration efforts that have revived the vibrancy of his divine colors.
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Quick takeaways
Pope Sixtus IV commissioned the Sistine Chapel to showcase Rome's political and spiritual supremacy after a prolonged absence of papacy in the city.
Michelangelo's transition to painting for the chapel marked a pivotal moment where he masterfully combined his sculptural knowledge with innovative techniques to create stunningly expressive figures.
The Sistine Chapel's art, particularly 'The Last Judgment,' highlights the tension between artistic genius and social expectations, reflecting the complexities of Renaissance society.
Deep dives
The Commissioning of the Sistine Chapel
Pope Sixtus IV commissioned the Sistine Chapel in the late 15th century, intending to showcase Rome's glory after a long absence of the papacy in the city. The chapel served both religious and political purposes, acting as a place for worship and papal conclaves. Sixtus aimed to display his commissioning skills by employing leading painters of the time, including Perugino and Botticelli, to fresco the chapel's walls long before Michelangelo's involvement. This set the stage for the monumental work that Michelangelo would later undertake, transforming the chapel into a centerpiece of Renaissance art.
Michelangelo's Transformation from Sculptor to Painter
Michelangelo began his career as a sculptor, gaining fame for his work on the statue of David. His transition to painting came at the request of Pope Julius II in 1505, initially for a tomb project, but he was redirected to paint the chapel's ceiling. Despite initial hesitations about his painting abilities, Michelangelo undertook the project with vigor and ultimately produced one of the most significant works of art in history. His style in painting drew upon his sculptural knowledge, allowing him to create deeply expressive figures that conveyed emotion and movement.
The Artistic Mastery of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel features nine compartments that chronologically narrate the story of Genesis, beginning with the creation of the world and culminating in the story of Noah. One of the most iconic images emerges from the moment God creates Adam, where the almost-touching hands symbolize the transfer of life and intellect. Michelangelo employed a series of innovative techniques to achieve the monumental scale and the complexity of the figures, working largely independently as he navigated the challenges of painting a ceiling. The ceiling's vibrant colors and dynamic compositions have made it a lasting symbol of artistic achievement.
The Controversial Last Judgment
Painted much later, 'The Last Judgment' on the altar wall reflects a more tumultuous period in Michelangelo's life and incorporates intense emotions surrounding mortality and salvation. The overwhelming scene features a chaotic swirl of resurrected bodies, which has often been interpreted as both homoerotic and shocking for its nudity. Michelangelo's response to criticism was notably provocative, even including the figure of a critic as a condemned soul in hell. The reception of 'The Last Judgment' illustrates the tension between the admiration of artistic genius and societal expectations of decorum, a theme that persisted throughout the Renaissance.
The Sistine Chapel's Lasting Impact
The artistic legacy of the Sistine Chapel and its works, particularly those of Michelangelo, reverberates through centuries as a high point of Renaissance art. Visitors to the chapel today experience its profound impact, with the imagery finding numerous references in popular culture and art. The chapel has become a symbol of both religious aspiration and human achievement, exemplifying the dynamic interplay of art and spirituality. This enduring significance reflects humanity's ongoing quest for meaning, identity, and artistic expression, solidifying the Sistine Chapel as a cornerstone of Western art history.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the astonishing work of Michelangelo (1477-1564) in this great chapel in the Vatican, firstly the ceiling with images from Genesis (of which the image above is a detail) and later The Last Judgement on the altar wall. For the Papacy, Michelangelo's achievement was a bold affirmation of the spiritual and political status of the Vatican, of Rome and of the Catholic Church. For the artist himself, already famous as the sculptor of David in Florence, it was a test of his skill and stamina, and of the potential for art to amaze which he realised in his astonishing mastery of the human form.
With
Catherine Fletcher
Professor of History at Manchester Metropolitan University
Sarah Vowles
The Smirnov Family Curator of Italian and French Prints and Drawings at the British Museum
And
Matthias Wivel
The Aud Jebsen Curator of Sixteenth-Century Italian Paintings at the National Gallery
Producer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
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