Michelangelo

Introduction

Michelangelo, born in the sixteenth century, was possibly one of the greatest artisans of all time. Michelangelo's artistic career can be divided into two periods. In the early period he focused on realism. During this early period Michelangelo's works included the Pieta and the David. At the age of 24 he completed a statue called the "Pieta," which is still in its original place in Saint Peter's Basilica. This marble sculpture shows the dead Jesus Christ in his mother's arms. In 1501Michelangelo returned to Florence, Italy to sculpt the famous nude sculpture called the "David." The "David" measures 18 feet tall, and is so massive that it took 40 men to move it from Michelangelo's workshop (Hibbard).

The second period of Michelangelo's career was based upon his own imagination. In 1505 Michelangelo was summoned by Pope Julius II to fabricate a monumental tomb for him. We have no clear sense of what the tomb was to look like, since over the years it went through at least five conceptual revisions, and was never actually finished due to frustrating delays. A short time after starting the tomb, Pope Julius II selected Michelangelo to fresco the Sistine Chapel ceiling.(Hirst,78)

Discussion

An illustration of the contradiction between the Italian Renaissance and Northern Renaissance style is the Pieta executed by Michelangelo and as accomplished by Rotgen. In Michelangelo's sculpture, Pieta, Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary both appear to be at ease. Christ is shown with a calm and relaxed expression on his face, which was so exquisitely sculpted in a perfect classical form. Mary is also shown in a state of tranquility; she doesn't display any grief or anger over her tragic loses. There is absolutely no indication of the suffering that Christ had experienced. These awe-inspiring facial characteristics are results of the cult of beauty.

In the Pieta done by Rotgen, the theme of torment is clearly demonstrated and exceedingly impossible to be transgressed. This northern translation of The Virgin Mary is distinctively different then the Italian. She is anguished and deeply distressed. Her screams and moans are as good as audible to the viewer. The Virgin is shown in a position of completely disturbing torment, as is Jesus Christ.(Saslow,123)

Pope Julius' chief architect questioned Michelangelo's experience with frescos, but as he was a friend of the Pope, it was insisted upon that he be given the job. Michelangelo worked on the ceiling from July of 1508 to October of 1512. He had hired five assistants to aid him in painting process. All in all, Michelangelo had painted three hundred and thirty-six assorted figures on the Sistine ceiling. This was an incredible feat and in the present, three hundred thirty-five and one-half of these figures still remain (Hibbard).The overall organization of the fresco consists of four large triangles at the corner; a series of eight triangular spaces on the outer border; an intermediate series of figures; and nine central panels, all bound together with architectural motifs and nude male figures. The corner triangles depict heroic action ...