Michelangelo's Paper Life

Michelangelo, known for iconic works like the Sistine ceiling, the David, the Pietà, and the dome of St. Peter's, was also deeply immersed in the art of writing throughout his seventy-five year career. Despite this aspect of his creative process being largely overlooked until now, he filled hundreds of sheets of paper with not only exquisite drawings and sketches, but also his own words on around a third of these sheets. These writings include marginal notes on his masterpieces, memos to assistants and students, poetry, letters, and intimate expressions of ambition and despair meant for his eyes only.

In "Michelangelo: A Life on Paper," the reader is brought into the fascinating intertwining of words and images that played a crucial role in the artist's life and work. The book features over two hundred museum-quality reproductions of Michelangelo's private papers, many in color, accompanied by Leonard Barkan's insightful narrative. The juxtaposition of perfectly crafted sonnets alongside mundane notes on expenses for chickens and funeral arrangements for his father, or a poignant drawing of a Madonna and child next to a humorous love poem, showcases the depth of Michelangelo's creative expression in both writing and art.

This volume offers a rare and intimate glimpse into how Michelangelo's artistic brilliance transcended beyond visual form and found voice in written words. With detailed illustrations and engaging storytelling, "Michelangelo: A Life on Paper" sheds new light on the multifaceted genius of one of the greatest artists in history.

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