Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society Sex Life of Michelangelo
Feb 28, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Sarah Prodan, a Michelangelo scholar from Stanford University, reveals the captivating intersections of art, identity, and sexuality in the Renaissance. She explores how Michelangelo's devout Catholic faith clashed with his attraction to men, influencing his stunning representations of the human form. The conversation touches on his complex relationships, particularly with Tomaso de Cavalieri and Vitorria Colonna, and how these connections inspired his poetry. Listeners gain a profound understanding of the beauty and struggles behind Michelangelo's masterpieces.
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Prodan's Introduction to Michelangelo
- Sarah Prodan first encountered Michelangelo through his poetry, in a course on Renaissance love and sex.
- She later cried upon seeing the David, showcasing the emotional power of his art.
Michelangelo's Identity
- Michelangelo, with the full name Michelangelo Buonarroti Simoni, was a Florentine with minor patrician roots.
- While famous for painting, he primarily considered himself a sculptor and poet.
Florence and Sexuality
- Renaissance Florence had a complex relationship with homosexuality, both permissive and repressive.
- Homoeroticism was idealized, yet "sodomy" was legally persecuted, highlighting societal contradictions.