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The warring regions, passing plagues, and toxic art materials creates the danger of the Rennaisance at that time, as well. The political and personal turmoil of the times adds the necessary human drama to a story that easily could have been a play-by-play logistical explanation of fresco-making.
You need paint, you just run down to the local Home Depot, and 5-gallon drums will be produced within a matter of minutes. There are many things in the 21st century that we take for granted as an artist.
Such were not the amenities of Michelangelo, which makes everything that Ross King describes to you even more amazing that Michaelangelo pulled this masterpiece off. A new commission may have the most difficult task of having enough room in the back of your truck to ship all your supplies.
If you need scaffolding, you simply call up the local rental agency, and they'll deliver it to your location, or perhaps even a battery-powered cherry picker will be available to make going up and down with your high-powered paint sprayer even more convenient. Pope Julius II plays the standard overbearing Godfather of Catholicism, perpetually making the artist, Michelangelo, jump through hoops to pay for the artist's overt attitude earlier on with the Pope.
So enjoy an expanded education on one of the most amazing ceilings ever created by Mankind, and be entertained the entire time.
nice treatment and history of michangelo and his world at that time i enjoyed all the information and how it was presented.
Words cannot describe this incredibly detailed, superiorly written book. It should also allow one to engage in an appreciative approach as to why it is so extremely important to preserve historical art. King discusses how the plaster was made (page 84), for example, and the 'chemists' who mixed them.
If you've never travelled, let alone to see the Sistine Chapel, this book serves as detailed 'tour literature'. The 'truth' in history can get twisted. I just finished reading it, and I felt admiration and amazement, not only for the writer, Ross King, but for the feats of Michelangelo.
Mostly, one should understand from this reading that the art seen crowning the Sistine Chapel is not the work of one person, but a team. Chapter after chapter is filled with historical occurences as one would expect, details of Rosselli chipping away the old fresco to prepare for Michelangelo's masterpiece (dare I say, words cannot even describe the awe of his work-although Ross King does it well) to where Michelangelo bought his paint, and how he managed the design. I was amazed at the little details though (what I enjoy about history).
That reason alone is why it is important to study it- continually. For me, this was the first book I've read from this author, and surely, it will not be my last.
delightful reading. It sparked interest in art history, and was alot of fun looking up all the art pieces in the internet. Very mixed about the vicious politics out of which all this precious art was produced, and yet thankful that they have been preserved.
After living down the street from Michelangelo's home in Florence, I sought additional sources for the man's actual life. Ross King's attention to details of history and art is very impressive and I feel like I have gotten to know the people he describes in this book. Many of us learn about him and think of Michelangelo only in his old age, but this book brings to life the young man who was basically forced into creating one of the most impressive artistic masterpieces in the world. The book is easy to read, narrative, and absolutely fascinating. I was so impressed with this work that I purchased all of the other Ross King books on amazon and I can't wait to read them all.
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