Introduction
The history of cultures involves many spheres, which are fascinating from all perspectives. One of the most exciting realms in the history of cultures is art since it allows the audience to see the values, beliefs, and precise illustrations of events that occurred in previous centuries. Among the most praised artists is Michelangelo Buonarroti, an Italian sculptor. Having honed his skills throughout his life, Buonarroti became renowned not only during his century, creating masterpieces for the Medici family but in the following centuries, with fascinating works with religious motifs, such as The Last Judgment.
Background of Michelangelo Buonarroti
First, it is necessary to introduce the great Italian artist. Throughout the last half of the fifteenth century, Michelangelo Buonarroti, who lived from 1476 to 1564, was regarded as an artist with remarkable talent (Cunningham et al. 285). He created several of his finest pieces in Rome after starting to work on Lorenzo’s sculpture garden (Cunningham et al. 285).
Some instances of Michelangelo’s initial work, nevertheless, demonstrate both the immense potential of his genius and some of the inspirations he accumulated while living in Florence during the Medici era (Cunningham et al. 285). By 1498, his technique had developed enough for him to master the Pietá, a piece of great acclaim that blends his profound empathy with idealized aesthetic declarations for a French cardinal residing in Rome (Cunningham et al. 285). It is indeed apparent that Buonarroti was popular not after his death but in the prime of his life.
The artist is known for his early passion for painting and adhered to a particular style. Neo-Platonism, which Michelangelo had mastered in his adolescence in Florence, fascinated him. Countless authors have pointed out the Neo-Platonic origins of his involvement in manipulating light and darkness, such as the extension of shadows to brightness from the external borders to the central frames, the independence of spirit from the subject, and the multiple geometric shapes completed in triads (Cunningham et al. 303). Therefore, Michelangelo mastered the art of sculpture and painting and introduced his techniques in his time.
The Last Judgment
One of Michelangelo’s most well-known masterpieces is indeed The Last Judgment. The given piece is a fresco located in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, and the artist worked on it for seven years, from 1534 to 1541 (Cunningham et al. 296). The Last Judgment, which Michelangelo created on the wall behind the altarpiece, exemplifies the full impact of the Michelangelesque aesthetic. The Last Judgment is a massive fresco that depicts the world’s final days when Christ returns as the judge (Cunningham et al. 305). It features the Divine Judge at the top of the artwork, with the earth being split between the Dantean doomed at the bottom and those summoned to triumph above (Cunningham et al. 305).
Self-Portrait
The artist’s self-portrait may be seen in the character in Saint Bartholomew’s faded skin, which is in the lower part and to the right of Christ (Cunningham et al. 304). To placate the Puritan views of post-Reformation Catholicism, loincloths were finally introduced to the characters (Cunningham et al. 304). Thus, Michelangelo infused his passionate religious perspective and a representation of the turbulent times he lived through into that magnificent composition.
Conclusion
To conclude, Michelangelo Buonarroti, who lived from 1476 to 1564, was recognized as a gifted artist in the second half of the fifteenth century. Michelangelo was attracted by Neo-Platonism, which he had studied during his formative years in Florence. Buonarroti developed his talents throughout his life, which led to his fame growing not only during his century when he produced masterpieces for the Medici family but also in later centuries when he produced intriguing works with religious themes, such as The Last Judgment, one of Michelangelo’s most well-known works of art.
Work Cited
Cunningham, Lawrence S., et al. Culture and Values: A Survey of the Western Humanities. 9th ed., Cengage Learning, 2018.