4.2 Michelangelo: sculpture, painting, and architecture

Michelangelo's genius spanned sculpture, painting, and architecture. His iconic works like David and the Sistine Chapel ceiling showcased his mastery of human anatomy and emotional depth. These pieces defined the High Renaissance, setting new standards for artistic achievement.

In architecture, Michelangelo left his mark on St. Peter's Basilica and the Medici Chapel. His innovative designs and ability to merge sculpture with architecture created spaces that were both grand and spiritually moving, solidifying his legacy as a Renaissance master.

Sculpture

Michelangelo's famous sculptures

Top images from around the web for Michelangelo's famous sculptures

• 

  Moses (Michelangelo) – Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Michelangelo's Pieta 5450 cropncleaned edit.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Anthropology of Art | Cultural Anthropology View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Moses (Michelangelo) – Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Michelangelo's Pieta 5450 cropncleaned edit.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Michelangelo's famous sculptures

• 

  Moses (Michelangelo) – Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Michelangelo's Pieta 5450 cropncleaned edit.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Anthropology of Art | Cultural Anthropology View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Moses (Michelangelo) – Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Michelangelo's Pieta 5450 cropncleaned edit.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• David depicts the biblical hero standing in a contrapposto pose, showcasing Michelangelo's mastery of human anatomy and his ability to convey a sense of strength and determination (marble, 1501-1504)
• Pietà portrays the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Jesus Christ, demonstrating Michelangelo's skill in creating a sense of emotional depth and spiritual significance (marble, 1498-1499)
• Moses, a larger-than-life seated figure, exhibits Michelangelo's ability to convey a sense of power and authority through his sculpted works (marble, 1515-1516)

Michelangelo's sculptural techniques and styles

• Contrapposto, a pose in which the figure's weight is shifted to one leg, creating a sense of movement and naturalism, was masterfully employed by Michelangelo in his sculptures (David)
• Non-finito, a technique in which some parts of the sculpture are left unfinished or roughly hewn, adds a sense of dynamism and suggests the sculptor's creative process (Captives series)

Painting

Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes

• Michelangelo's frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling depict scenes from the Book of Genesis, showcasing his mastery of human anatomy, foreshortening, and complex compositional arrangements (1508-1512)
• The Creation of Adam, one of the most iconic images from the Sistine Chapel ceiling, portrays God reaching out to touch Adam's finger, symbolizing the moment of man's creation and the divine spark of life

The Last Judgment fresco

• The Last Judgment, a massive fresco covering the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, depicts the second coming of Christ and the final judgment of humanity, showcasing Michelangelo's ability to convey a sense of drama and emotional intensity (1536-1541)
• Michelangelo's use of terribilità, a style characterized by a sense of awe-inspiring grandeur and emotional intensity, is evident in The Last Judgment, as seen in the muscular, twisting figures and the overall sense of chaos and movement

Architecture

St. Peter's Basilica

• Michelangelo's contributions to the design of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome include the dome, which became a model for future domes in Western architecture (1546-1564)
• The dome of St. Peter's Basilica showcases Michelangelo's understanding of engineering and his ability to create a sense of grandeur and spiritual significance through architectural design

Medici Chapel

• The Medici Chapel, located in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence, features Michelangelo's architectural design and sculptural elements, creating a harmonious and emotionally charged space (1520-1534)
• The New Sacristy of the Medici Chapel contains Michelangelo's famous sculptures, such as the allegorical figures of Day, Night, Dawn, and Dusk, which adorn the tombs of Giuliano and Lorenzo de' Medici