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Even the Swiss Guard make their papal debut. A well-written, fascinating look at Rome and, indirectly, Europe in the early 1500s through the lens of Michelangelo's papal commission by Pope Julius II to fresco the ceiling of the newly restored Sistine Chapel. While Michelangelo and the Pope are the central figures, they are placed against the real historic backdrop of individuals such as the painter Raphael (a contemporary and sometime rival) and, briefly, Martin Luther. As such, Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling provides historic context for the casual reader of the more than four years Michelangelo spent painting the ceiling of the Sistine, yet has voluminous notes at the end for the more serious art student. There are also several pages of color photographs to act as a reference (though more close ups would have been helpful).Ross King's writing style is clear and in a narrative style, making what could be a dense academic subject interesting for any reader who loves art, history or both.
Each of the subjects touched on would be worthy of volumes. I can't say enough good about this book. The range of topics is broad - Michelangelo's family, his sculpture, painting, Soldier-Pope and bon vivant Julius II, pigments, battles, Raphael, Savonarola, prostitutes to service priests, Lateran Council, the moral sinkhole that was Rome at the time, Rome's affect on views of Martin Luther - and if some of the information seems boring keep going, in a page or two something new will be introduced. Large depictions of the frescos would make a sizeable coffee table book. So, treat the book as a delightful introduction - and have a large Bausch & Lomb magnifier at hand to view the frescos as they are discussed.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. However, I found the author's unflappable and professional approach a bit disturbing; as though he personally missed out on an epiphany. Many of the stories are things I have heard before, but woven seemlessly into an insightful narrative. King's assessment of Michelangelo's ceiling and its radical importance in pictorial history is correct in its context and amplitude; my knowledge thereby enhanced. I am also not a fan of the restoration, to say the least. However, I enjoyed both receiving and giving this book as a gift.
But, this is fact not fiction. and some of the most bizarre characters in church history. More than the story of the tumultuous relationship between Michelangelo and Pope Julius II, this well documented offering from Ross King breathes life into a period in history that was populated by the great artists, Michelangelo, DaVinci, Raphael, etc. Art history buffs, I think, will love the stories "behind the canvas" and "outside the frame". Mystery, intrigue, sex, betrayal, deceit. all the makings of a great page turning novel. History buffs will appreciate the way the threads of the church, the politics, the art and the artists come together in a fascinating tapestry. If you enjoy it, try the Judgment of Paris or Bruneleschi's Dome by the same author.
We saw the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and I wanted to know more about the person and the era that it was created. This book helped fill in the gaps of my knowledge.
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