20090915 Brown, Curtis H - Michelangelo

Curtis H. Brown Dr. Anthony Silvestri HI 101-B: The Changing World, 1200-1750 C.E. 15 September 2009 The Italian Renaissance begins a unique period of history. This is the beginning of thinking about a current age as a time of its own; a period of something better. The Italian peninsula and the wealthy trading cities of Florence, Naples, and Bologna have emerged from the death and destruction of the Bubonic Plague. Europe, and Italy in particular, had almost 50% of the population killed from the plague. The once compact cities had been emptied as buildings contaminated by the plague were torn down and burned. Yet the death and destruction of the plague had allowed the survivors the resources and space to begin anew. The Renaissance is born, with a unique feeling that this is a great time, not since the glory of Greece and Rome had there been this opportunity. The City Patrons set about to rebuild, celebrate, and forget the pain of the past. The belief that this was a time of great importance, the same or better than Rome, began a passion for Roman sculpture themes within the Church, communities, and homes. Individual achievement in commerce, governmental power, and especially in art were celebrated. The theme of realism and practicality of life and in art became critical. These Renaissance ideals are visible within one artist, Michael Angelo Buonarroti, simply known as Michelangelo. The celebration of the love of the “ancient and good sculpture” (Halsall) ideal of the past. The Medici family who gained control of Florence desired to place this type of sculpture and art within their city. The Medici’s began to use the wealth of the city to celebrate the past, and reshape Florence into their vision of the future. The

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families established schools where painting and sculpting were instructed. Rebuilding and reshaping the future allowed for some the change from the stratified feudalistic societies. Nobel families could now enter commerce and art and still gain respectability. This inspiration led Michelangelo from the path of his father had selected of apprenticing in the silk trade but instead choosing a path of art on his own, and being asked to join the Medici sculpture school. Michelangelo’s studies, efforts, and early talent were observed by the masters of their time. The students often worked hard to have their own name and reputation be known, which led to times of sabotage of their peers works. The artists themselves were free to move on, and achieve recognition, and payment for their talents. Sometimes this recognition may not be as the individual intended as with Toriganno’s conflict in Spain (Halsall). While these events could happen, Michelangelo’s work on a sculpture for the Medici family resulted in his recognition, praise, and invitation to live in the Medici house as a family member. Michelangelo was rewarded for his attention to the realistic sculpture and details offered by Medici most likely in jest but acted earnestly on by Michelangelo (Halsall). The appreciation for the realism, inspired by the survival of individuals after the Bubonic Plague became evident with the desire for art to reflect life. Michelangelo’s artistic themes became one of simplicity and realism. His sculpting of “David” yields a youth, larger than life, and with strength and power, but with the freestanding sculpture done in the Roman and Greek styles. This style of sculpture and art was even accepted and sought after by the Church. Michelangelo was commissioned by the Pope to paint what is now the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo’s realism is reflected in the very human features seen in the “Creation of Adam” on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

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Michelangelo even resisted his patron’s, the Pope, suggestion that their needed to be more gold on the subject. Michelangelo responded to the Pope, but “Michael Angelo would answer the Holy Father, "In those times men did not wear gold, and those whom I am painting were never very rich, but holy men despising riches" (Halsall). Michelangelo and the other artists of the time stood for their own view of the world around them. Their individual talent provided them the opportunity to have a voice which could not be silenced even by the most powerful patron or even the Pope himself. Michelangelo provides a glimpse into the changes the world was facing with the Renaissance. The cities, states, and even churches were now recognizing individual accomplishments instead of celebrating only a Holy theme. Michelangelo’s growth in renown as an artist brings his style, and those of the Renaissance, to the center stage. His artwork is known as his, and not necessarily as a piece of the Sistine Chapel, or a sculpture in the Medici gardens. The art produced by Michelangelo is still respected today for the realistic artwork he produced in the 1500’s. The simple fact that Michelangelo’s individual achievements remain honored 500 years later is a simple statement of the beliefs which emerged during the Italian Renaissance.

Works Cited Halsall, Paul Internet Medieval Source Book: Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574): Lives of the Artists, selections. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/vasari/vasari26.htm. September 1998.