Michelangelo painted the Sistine Ceiling in four years, 1508-1512. Read below an excerpt of Michelangelo’s biography by Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574), the first art
historian. Visit the Sistine Chapel with the modern art historians of SmartHistory.org in Second Life, a virtual environment. Vassar College recreated the Sistine Ceiling on their Second Life “campus”. You don’t need to open an account to visit, instead watch SmartHistory’s video of Michelangelo’s work on the Sistine Ceiling. I’ve added a video clip of sidewalk art based on Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam from the Sistine Ceiling. What do you think of these virtual recreations of Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel? Why do you think these paintings are still significant for contemporary society?
Excerpt from Vasari’s biography of Michelangelo in Lives of the Artists
When the Pope was returned to Rome, Bramante (a friend of Raffaello’s, and therefore little a friend to Michael Angelo) tried to turn his mind from finishing his sepulchre, saying it was an evil augury and seemed like hastening his death to make his own grave; and he persuaded him that on Michael Angelo’s return he should set him to paint the ceiling of the chapel in the palace, in memory of Sixtus his uncle. For Bramante and Michael Angelo’s other rivals thought to draw him away from sculpture, in which they saw he was perfect, and make him produce less worthy works, not to be compared with Raffaello’s, knowing he had had no experience in painting in fresco. So when he was returned and proposed to the Pope to finish his tomb, he desired him instead to paint the ceiling of the chapel. Michael Angelo sought in every way to shift the load off his back, proposing Raffaello instead. But the more he excused himself, the more impetuous the Pope became. So seeing that his Holiness persevered, he resolved to do it, and the Pope ordered Bramante to make the scaffold. He made it hanging by ropes passed through holes in the ceiling, which when Michael Angelo saw, he asked Bramante how the holes were to be stopped up when the painting was finished. He answered, “We must think of that afterwards, but there is no other way.” So Michael Angelo knew that either Bramante was worth little or that he was no friend to him, and he went to the Pope and told him the scaffolding would not do. So he told him to do it his own way. He therefore ordered it to be made on supports, not touching the wall, and he gave to a poor carpenter who made it so many of the useless ropes that by the sale of them he obtained a dowry for one of his daughters.
Visit the Sistine Chapel in Second Life
Sidewalk version of Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam
Groups 4, 5, and 6: Please comment on a classmate’s post by Saturday, 4/21
Groups 1, 2, and 3: Please submit a post by Saturday, 4/21
After reading and hearing the story on the second life, I have nothing but respect towards Michelangelo and of course his work. I knew very little about him and his work, in fact i didn’t even know his ceiling artwork was called “Sistine Chapel”. Like anyone who is good at their job, your always going to have your competitors trying to make a plan to bring you down and destroy you. And Michelangelo had them, you can say he was king of all sculptures and Bramante and Raffaello’s saw him as a threat. So they convinced the pope to make Michelangelo paint, a whole different kind of skills comparing to sculpturing. Just picturing trying to paint a ceiling, looking up with paint falling in your face, neck and back hurting and not having the safe equipment to keep him up there makes it more astonishing in his work. And i give him props for drawing the “Sistine Chapel” under so many obstacles and of course for shutting up and not letting Bramante and Raffaello get the last laugh.
you are right we have these kind of experiences in our daily life or work too, always somebody wants you to make down to get all the credits on him/her. Also, this situation can cause you to work more to achieve your goal like Michelangelo who battled with his competitors to paint all the Sistine Chapel. Maybe he didn’t have these obstacles, we couldn’t see his astonishing work.
Professional animosity and jealousy is still common today among artists as it was in Michelangelo’s day. It is amazing to see how he turned what his peers thought would be certain failure into one of the most admired works of art. Michelangelo was not a painter but he successfully transferred his skills into a 2D medium. He applied the same skill set in his sculptures and, modeling after classical works, he was able to create scene paintings on frescos that equaled his 3D creations. The painted architectural textures are amazing! I never knew they were painted…
Michelangelo’s use of the natural light coming in from the windows was very clever, as mentioned by the narrator in “Second Life”; it made the scenes look right and natural. Michelangelo has been able to gain immortality through his works.
I also didn’t know alot about Michelangelo. Before this class I had no idea what the “Sistine Chapel” was. The virtual recreations of Michelangelo’s is creative and accurate. The way they broke it down and explained the details of the Sistine Chapel. For example, they mentioned that most people believed he painted on his back AND also how the plaster work of the Sistine Chapel is an illusion, but looks like real architecture; I found that to be very interesting. I also liked how they went through every painting by painting and showed the where each painting was located on the ceiling. I think these paintings are still significant because no one ever created anything close to his paintings and this shows how what an amazing artist/sculpture he was considering that he didn’t have the modern art tools of modern times. Also his art in the Sistine Chapel very important to the catholic/christian society. Its part of the Vatican city. However his art work gets recognition worldwide, not just from the Christian society.
The Vassar College video was a very cool way to tour the Sistine Chapel. The narrative was very informative (of course I already knew much of the info from class) and I enjoyed the conversational style. I believe these paintings are still significant for contemporary society because if you understand how he did this, you appreciate the fact that it would be difficult to do even today. Not only was the procedure exhausting, but the finished product is beautiful. Do any modern artists even do frescoes? I would love to able to get up on a scaffolding and see this amazing piece of work up close! As for the sidewalk chalk art, truly awesome. For one thing, it’s so impressive because the artist can’t back up and get a perspective to see how it is progressing. I’ve seen some pretty good chalk artists do their thing in person and it is really amazing.
I may be late but I will agree with rey, since Raphael knew that Michelangelo ability wasn’t up to it for the reason that he was sculptor did become a problem for Michelangelo. Clearly Michelangelo was not going to turn down the challenge which was a great decision since he did an excellent job at it. Every time I see this image still builds an intense feeling to it because just wondering what would happen if they touch still runs in my head. In addition the art is realistic and it also looks like we are about to witness the creation of life.
the video of second life, was super interesting, michael’s talent for painting is very impressive for someone who doesn’t like to paint and whos skill or profession was just based on sculpting, the video explained alot about the story of the old testimate folled by the touch of life that was given to adam and that god posibly was with mary and jesus, a lot of the stories were drawn out which was pretty kool, his skills put his enemies to shame and im glad it did because the ceiling came out great.
I didn’t know much a bout Michelangelo and I only heard a bout the Sistine Chapel from t.v. For someone who couldn’t paint or finish one he did a great job with the Sistine Chapel. I think finishing the Sistine Chapel put Raphael and anyone else who though he would fail to shame.
Besides a few other paitings, this one is a great masterpiece in ways that cannot be expressed. Maybe Michelangelo has a natural calling for frescos, this will forever be a huge feat and work. The way all of thesebiblical themes find their way of all being molded together. Michaleangelo was given a great task /challenge and made his name even greater. I dont believe we have any modern artist can compare to this.
I knew that Michaleangelo was a sculpture and created outstanding pieces. Finding out in class that he was not an artist and painted the Sistine Chapel is just mind blowing. To also know that no other artist believed he can do it and yet he did an amazing job just puts them all to shame. To top it all off he also did it all in just 4 years. You would think with that much detail and not really knowing how to paint a fresco he did an outstanding job.
I agree that it is mind-blowing what Michaelangelo has done. The sistine chapels is a beautiful piece. Although he did not know how to paint as well he pulled it off. There are very few artists who could have done what he has done.
The Sistine Chapel is very beautiful and the ceiling is one of the best part. Michelangelo did a great job making it mind blowing and full of rich history. Its crazy how for four years Michelangelo little by little to do this huge ceiling. And yes there is still a lot meaning of the paintings that is useful for today’s society. People all around the world go to see this and its still very amazing.