Michelangelo: his epic life

Abstract

There was an epic sweep to Michelangelo's life. At 31 he was considered the finest artist in Italy, perhaps the world; long before he died at almost 90 he was widely believed to be the greatest sculptor or painter who had ever lived (and, by his enemies, to be an arrogant, uncouth, swindling miser). For decade after decade, he worked near the dynamic centre of events: the vortex at which European history was changing from Renaissance to Counter Reformation. Few of his works - including the huge frescoes of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling, the marble giant 'David' and 'the Last Judgment' - were small or easy to accomplish. Like a hero of classical mythology he was subject to constant trials and labours. In Michelangelo Martin Gayford describes what it felt like to be Michelangelo Buonarroti, and how he transformed forever our notion of what an artist could be.

Contents

Machine generated contents note: 1. Death and Life of Michelangelo -- 2. Buonarroti -- 3. Unruly Apprenticeship -- 4. Medici -- 5. Antiquities -- 6. Piero de' Medici and Flight to Bologna -- 7. Rome, Cupid, Bacchus and the Pieta -- 8. David and Other Bodies -- 9. Michelangelo versus Leonardo -- 10. Giants and Slaves -- 11. Vault -- 12. Incarnation -- 13. Roman Rivalry -- 14. Marble Mountains -- 15. Tombs -- 16. New Fantasies -- 17. Revolt -- 18. Love and Exile -- 19. Judgement -- 20. Reform -- 21. Dome -- 22. Defeat and Victory.