Michelangelo's Ceiling Art

Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling is a captivating tale of how the renowned artist Michelangelo defied the odds to create the timeless masterpiece that adorns the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to this day. In 1508, Pope Julius II, against the advice of many, commissioned Michelangelo Buonarroti to paint the newly restored Sistine Chapel in Rome. Despite his expertise in sculpting, Michelangelo had little experience as a painter, especially in fresco, and none in working on curved surfaces like the Sistine ceiling's vaults. Reluctant and temperamental, Michelangelo initially stormed away from Rome, angering the Pope, until he was ultimately persuaded to begin the monumental task.

The book follows Michelangelo's journey over the four years he dedicated to painting the twelve thousand square feet of the expansive ceiling, amidst the chaos of war, power struggles, and personal rivalries in Rome. Throughout this time, he crossed paths with illustrious figures like the talented Raphael, sparking a competitive relationship, and the outspoken preacher Girolamo Savonarola, alongside renowned scholar Desiderius Erasmus. Even a young Martin Luther, on his sole visit to Rome, witnessed the corruption surrounding him and was appalled.

Author Ross King weaves together these historical figures to paint a vivid picture of daily life on the scaffolding of the Sistine Chapel, as well as the tumultuous events unfolding in early sixteenth-century Italy. Through this narrative, readers gain unique insight into the complex relationship between art and history, delving into the intertwined worlds of creativity and political intrigue. Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling offers a compelling exploration of the artistic process and the impact of art on the tumultuous events of the time.

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